Congress Announces Nationwide MGNREGA Save Campaign
In a significant move aimed at protecting the rights of workers and upholding the federal structure of the country, the Congress announced a nationwide MGNREGA Bachao Sangram (Save MGNREGA Struggle) on Saturday, 3rd January. The campaign, scheduled to run from 10th January to 25th February, aims to demand the withdrawal of the VB-G RAM G Act and restore the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in its original, rights-based form.
Centralisation and Violation of Federal Structure
The Congress leaders, KC Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh, asserted that the new VB-G RAM G Act, passed on 18th December, 2025, ensures complete centralisation, as employment will no longer be a right under the new Act. This centralisation, they argued, is against the federal structure of the country and an attack on the panchayati raj institutions.
- No discussion was held with the states to implement the Act, even as their finances will be disturbed.
- The Act sets a 60:40 funding split between the Centre and the states, which, according to the Congress leaders, is a violation of Article 258 of the Constitution.
Challenging the VB-G RAM G Act in Court
The Congress leaders have vowed to challenge the VB-G RAM G Act in court, asserting that their demand is not modification but complete withdrawal of this law and restoration of MGNREGA. They claim that under the new law, only the central government will decide how funds will be allocated, making it a centralised programme and not a right to employment, unlike in MGNREGA.
North East Implications and Regional Context
The implications of this struggle are significant for the North East region, where MGNREGA plays a crucial role in providing employment opportunities and supporting rural development. The centralisation of the VB-G RAM G Act could potentially disrupt these efforts, making it essential for regional governments to engage in the discussion and ensure the protection of the rights of their constituents.
A Nationwide Struggle, Not Just a Campaign
Unlike the agitation against the three black farm laws, which was Delhi-centric, the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram will be panchayat, block, district, and state-centric. The first phase of the agitation will begin on 8th January with preparatory meetings at all the state Congress headquarters to finalise plans for the agitation.
Looking Forward
As the Congress gears up for the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram, it remains to be seen how the central and state governments will respond to the demands. The success of this struggle could set a precedent for future debates on centralisation and the protection of federal structure in India, making it an issue of national importance.