Jairam Ramesh Calls MGNREGA Replacement a 'Surgical Strike' on Rural Safety Net
What Happened?
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the replacement of MGNREGA with the VB-G RAM G Act, calling it a threat to rural workers' support amid severe drought in Maharashtra.
Key points
- Ramesh referred to severe drought conditions in Beed and other districts of Maharashtra.
- He claimed MGNREGA provided essential support during crises, which is now undermined.
- Ramesh alleged wage theft and fake attendance issues in BJP-ruled states.
- The VB-G RAM G Act replaced MGNREGA on July 1, 2025, with a 125-day employment guarantee.
- Opposition criticized the removal of Gandhi's name and the new funding arrangement.
Key insights
- The replacement of MGNREGA may lead to increased hardship for rural workers during droughts.
- Allegations of wage theft could undermine trust in government programs.
- The shift in funding arrangements may affect the sustainability of rural employment initiatives.
Why it matters
The changes to MGNREGA could significantly impact rural workers' livelihoods during crises.
Tags
Entities
Source
Times of India


