Congress Member of Parliament Ranjeet Ranjan launched a sharp critique against the central government on Monday, accusing it of systematically dismantling the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). She alleged that the recently enacted G RAM G law fundamentally weakens the world's largest employment guarantee programme.
Core Accusations: From Rights-Based Scheme to Central Control
Speaking in Jaipur, Ranjan asserted that the Narendra Modi-led government has transformed the scheme from a rights-based guarantee into a conditional, centrally controlled initiative. "Under the guise of reforms, the govt has converted a rights-based guarantee into a conditional, centrally controlled scheme," she stated. The Congress MP emphasized that this move deprives the rural poor of their legally assured right to work.
A principal charge repeated by Ranjan is the alleged shifting of a significant financial burden onto state governments. She claimed the Union government now requires states to bear approximately 40% of the expenditure while retaining control over the rules and branding of the programme. This, she argued, creates an unfair fiscal strain on state resources.
Erosion of Decentralisation and Workers' Rights
Ranjan also highlighted the erosion of the decentralised framework that was a cornerstone of MGNREGA. She said powers previously vested in gram sabhas and panchayats have been replaced by centralised digital systems, undermining local governance. Furthermore, she condemned the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme, viewing it as a symbolic disservice.
The MP claimed the changes have "ruthlessly crushed the rights of 12 crore NREGA workers." She recalled that MGNREGA served as a critical lifeline for rural families, especially during the economic distress of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ranjan accused the Modi government of weakening the scheme since 2014 through budget cuts and the mandatory imposition of Aadhaar-based payments. She alleged these actions have reduced the average work provided to just 50–55 days annually, far short of the legally guaranteed 100 days.
State-Wide Protests and Political Vow to Oppose
Meanwhile, echoing the sentiment at the state level, Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra led protests against the new law in Ajmer. Dotasra warned that the legislation would pave the way for a corrupt "parchi" (recommendation slip) system and that the powers of panchayats would be severely diminished, with orders now "coming from above."
The Congress party has vowed to staunchly oppose these legislative changes on every possible forum. The opposition strategy is set to span from street-level agitations and protests to raising the issue forcefully in Parliament, setting the stage for continued political confrontation over the future of rural employment guarantees in India.
