The Aryavarth Express
Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister HK Patil on Saturday strongly criticised the Centre’s decision to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), calling it a “draconian” move that deprives rural workers of their right to employment.
Speaking to reporters, Patil said the repeal was unfortunate and would adversely affect agricultural labourers and rural households who depended on the scheme for livelihood security. “MGNREGA gave people the right to work. The central government has snatched that right, especially from rural and agricultural labourers,” he said.
Earlier, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel also condemned the move, alleging that the government has an “allergy” to Mahatma Gandhi and is insensitive to the poor. Speaking to Baghel said MGNREGA was the world’s largest employment guarantee programme and had no parallel globally. He credited the scheme, introduced during the UPA government under then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, with providing employment and food security to millions.
Baghel added that despite its proven impact, the scheme was abruptly scrapped, prompting the Congress to launch a nationwide agitation under the leadership of party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders.
On Saturday, the Congress formally announced a three-phase nationwide protest titled “MGNREGA Bachao”, following the enactment of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) Act.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Congress general secretaries KC Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh accused the Centre of attempting to centralise rural employment policy and acting arbitrarily. Venugopal said the Congress Working Committee had approved a structured campaign named “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram.”
According to the plan:
Phase 1 will begin on January 8 with preparatory meetings at Pradesh Congress Committee offices, followed by district-level press conferences on January 10 and a one-day fast at district headquarters on January 11 near statues of Mahatma Gandhi and B R Ambedkar.
Phase 2, from January 12 to January 30, will include panchayat-level chaupals, distribution of a letter from the Congress president, Vidhan Sabha-level street meetings, and pamphlet campaigns. On January 30, Martyrs’ Day, peaceful sit-ins will be held with MGNREGA workers.
Phase 3 will start on January 31 with district-level dharnas at DC/DM offices till February 6, followed by state-level gheraos of Vidhan Sabha buildings from February 7 to February 15, and four zonal AICC rallies between February 16 and February 25.
Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the VB–G RAM G Bill, 2025, marking a significant shift in India’s rural employment policy. According to the President’s Secretariat, the new law enhances the statutory wage employment guarantee to 125 days per financial year for rural households and focuses on empowerment, inclusive growth, convergence of development initiatives and saturation-based delivery.
The Act replaces MGNREGA with what the government describes as a modern statutory framework aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, aimed at strengthening livelihood security and building a resilient, self-reliant rural economy.
