Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sharply criticized the Union government for replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the newly announced G-RAM-G scheme, calling it an “attack on the states of India.” His remarks came after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in New Delhi, where the issue was discussed extensively.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Centre had repealed MGNREGA without proper consultation, study, or evaluation, drawing parallels with the manner in which the three farm laws were introduced and later withdrawn. He argued that the move undermines the rights of states and weakens a program that has historically provided livelihood security to millions of rural households.
“The Modi government has, without any study, evaluation or consultation with states and political parties, repealed the law. This is just as they did with the farm laws,” Gandhi said, adding that the decision reflects a pattern of unilateral policymaking.
The Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also weighed in, calling for a nationwide campaign to oppose the repeal of MGNREGA. He described the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls as a “well-planned conspiracy” to limit democratic rights, linking it to broader concerns about centralization of power.
Party leaders at the CWC meeting resolved to mobilize grassroots workers and state units to raise awareness about the impact of the G-RAM-G scheme, which they claim will reduce guaranteed employment opportunities for rural citizens. The Congress plans to launch protests and outreach programs across the country in the coming weeks.
The government, however, has defended the new scheme, stating that G-RAM-G is designed to modernize rural employment guarantees and improve efficiency. Officials argue that it will streamline processes and reduce leakages, though critics maintain that it dilutes the core promise of MGNREGA.
