Telangana Turmoil: Protests Erupt Over Repeal of MGNREGA as President Grants Assent to VB-G RAM G Act
In a move that has sparked widespread outrage and protests, the Telangana Congress party took to the streets on December 20, 2025, to condemn the government's decision to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, popularly known as the VB-G RAM G Bill. The protests, which are expected to escalate, are a direct response to the government's assertion that the new bill is a "decisive reform" aimed at enhancing rural employment and empowerment.
The Telangana Congress, along with national Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Sonia Gandhi, staged a demonstration in front of the Mahatma Gandhi Statue on M.G. Road, Secunderabad, to highlight their opposition to the bill. Sonia Gandhi, in a scathing attack on the government, called the move a "bulldozer attack" on rural jobs and vowed to take the fight to the streets with a "mass movement" of protests.
The VB-G RAM G Bill, passed by Parliament's winter session on December 19 and 20, repeals MGNREGA, which was enacted in 2005 to provide a legal 100-day rural employment guarantee. The new bill, which promises to guarantee 125 days of employment, has been hailed by the government as a major reform aimed at boosting rural employment and incomes. However, the opposition, including the Communist Party of India, has accused the government of hasty passage and centralization, which will dilute the core structure of MGNREGA.
One of the key concerns of the opposition is the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the act. The Telangana Congress, in particular, has taken strong exception to this move, with party leaders alleging that it is a deliberate attempt to disrespect the legacy of the Father of the Nation. The opposition has also raised concerns about the 60:40 central-state funding split, which they claim will burden states and reduce Gram Panchayat powers.
The government, however, has accused the opposition of "misinformation" and "conspiracy" and has emphasized that the new bill will benefit the poor without reducing entitlements. Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has argued that the bill is a major step towards empowering rural communities, with the introduction of technology-driven transparency and decentralized planning through Gram Sabha-led initiatives.
The VB-G RAM G Bill has also been criticized for its hasty passage, with the opposition alleging that the government failed to engage in adequate deliberation and consultation. The bill was introduced just days before its passage in Parliament, sparking accusations of rushed legislation.
The implications of the VB-G RAM G Act are far-reaching, with the potential to impact millions of rural households across the country. The act promises to increase employment to 125 days annually, mandate timely weekly/15-day payments, and ensure unemployment allowance after 15 days without work. However, the opposition has warned that the bill will dilute local control and job rights, potentially straining state budgets.
As the protests in Telangana and other parts of the country escalate, the government is likely to face increased pressure to explain its decision to replace MGNREGA with the VB-G RAM G Bill. The opposition, meanwhile, is determined to take the fight to the streets, with Sonia Gandhi promising a "mass movement" of protests against the bill.
The VB-G RAM G Act, which came into effect on December 21, 2025, after President Droupadi Murmu granted assent, is a critical test of the government's commitment to rural development and employment. As the debate continues to rage, one thing is clear: the future of rural India hangs in the balance.
📰 Source: The Hindu - National
