Full Breakdown
Congress Launches Nationwide Agitation Against VB-G RAM G Act
1/4/2026, 11:44:49 AM
Overview of the Agitation
The Indian National Congress is set to initiate a nationwide protest, titled the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram, from January 10 to February 25, 2024. This movement aims to demand the withdrawal of the recently enacted Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G) Act, which the Congress party argues undermines the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in its original form.
Core Concerns with the VB-G RAM G Act
Congress leaders, including President Mallikarjun Kharge and General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, have expressed significant concerns regarding the VB-G RAM G Act. Kharge emphasized that MGNREGA is a legal guarantee for employment, which has historically reduced hunger and distress migration among rural populations. He criticized the new Act for dismantling this right, stating, “MGNREGA is not charity. It is a legal guarantee.”
Ramesh further articulated that the VB-G RAM G Act represents a shift towards "dangerous centralisation," stripping away the legal guarantee of employment and altering the federal structure of governance. He highlighted that the Act imposes a funding split of 60:40 between the Centre and States without their consent, violating Article 258 of the Constitution.
Planned Activities and Strategy
The Congress's agitation will commence with district-level press conferences on January 10, followed by a series of protests, including day-long fasts and symbolic demonstrations at district headquarters on January 11. From January 12 to 29, the party will conduct panchayat-level meetings and mass contact programs, culminating in ward-level sit-ins on January 30. State-level protests at Vidhan Sabhas are scheduled between February 7 and 15, with major rallies planned from February 16 to 25.
Ramesh noted that this movement would be more grassroots-oriented compared to previous protests, such as the farmers' agitation against the three farm laws, which were primarily centered in Delhi. The Congress aims to engage with local communities at the panchayat, block, district, and state levels.
Criticism & Opposition
The Congress party's stance has faced criticism from supporters of the VB-G RAM G Act, who argue that the new legislation is necessary for modernizing rural employment schemes. However, the Congress maintains that the Act's centralization undermines local governance and the rights of rural workers.
Official Statements & Responses
Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal stated that the party would challenge the VB-G RAM G Act in court, asserting that it fundamentally alters the nature of rural employment and weakens the authority of Panchayati Raj institutions. He emphasized the need for a unified response among opposition parties, particularly those governed by the INDIA bloc.
What's Next
As the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram unfolds, the Congress party will continue to mobilize support against the VB-G RAM G Act, seeking to restore MGNREGA as a rights-based program. The outcome of this agitation could significantly impact rural employment policies and the relationship between the central and state governments in India.
