Kerala, Feb 05 : Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution urging the Central Government to withdraw the recently enacted Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025. The resolution also demanded the reinstatement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.
Opposition leaders have strongly criticised the new law, arguing it undermines citizens’ right to employment and centralises control in New Delhi. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said the government’s move effectively strips away fundamental rights, including the right to work and access to information.
Congress has launched the nationwide campaign ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’ to protest the VB-G RAM G Act. Party leaders warned that governments disregarding workers and farmers historically face public backlash. Pawan Khera emphasised that protecting NREGA is synonymous with safeguarding the voice of India’s workforce.
Jairam Ramesh described MGNREGA as a “transformative law” and criticised the new legislation for replacing it, calling it “a flaw” that centralises employment funding and limits states’ share in financing. The VB-G RAM G Act has also removed Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the programme and extended employment guarantees from 100 to 125 days.
The resolution reflects growing discontent among states and opposition parties over the dilution of workers’ rights and the shift in funding responsibilities under the new scheme.