Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 3: The Congress on Saturday declared it would begin a countrywide protest against the G-RAMG Act from January 8, accusing the Centre of weakening the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) and eroding the statutory right to work for rural citizens.
The announcement was made at a press conference at the party’s New Delhi headquarters by Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal and senior leader Jairam Ramesh.
Venugopal said the party has prepared a comprehensive action plan titled ‘MNREGA Bachao Abhiyan’, aimed at safeguarding the rural employment scheme. He stated that after detailed deliberations, the Congress National Committee resolved to mobilise people across the country against what it sees as a dangerous policy shift. According to him, the G-RAMG Act fundamentally alters the spirit of MNREGA and poses a serious threat to its survival.
Highlighting MNREGA’s impact, Venugopal said the scheme had played a critical role in reducing hunger and migration while supporting the creation of rural infrastructure such as roads, canals and dams. He added that during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic downturn, MNREGA served as a crucial lifeline for millions.
He further alleged that the new framework removes the guaranteed nature of employment. “Under MNREGA, work was provided on demand. G-RAMG introduces budgetary ceilings and shifts responsibility to panchayats, effectively stripping citizens of their legal right to employment,” he claimed.
Jairam Ramesh echoed these concerns, arguing that the decentralised structure of MNREGA was being dismantled. He warned that decision-making would now be centralised in Delhi, leaving villages with little say and many panchayats without adequate funds.
Ramesh also accused the government of bypassing constitutional procedures. Referring to Article 258, he said such changes require consultation between the Centre and states, which, he alleged, did not take place. “This unilateral decision violates the Constitution,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with the repeal of the three farm laws, Ramesh said the upcoming agitation would be broader and more grassroots-driven. “Unlike the farmers’ protest, which was largely centred in Delhi, this movement will reach states, districts, blocks and panchayats,” he said.
Recalling MNREGA’s passage in 2005, Ramesh noted that it was enacted after extensive parliamentary scrutiny and cross-party consensus. He criticised the current move as regressive, saying it undermines rural development rather than strengthening it.
Outlining the programme, he said the campaign would run for 45 days starting January 8 and could escalate into legal action if necessary. “This will be a nationwide movement. If history is any guide, the outcome will mirror what happened with the farm laws,” he asserted.