Kerala Assembly Urges Centre to Withdraw VB-G RAM G Act, Restore MGNREGA
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution urging the Central Government to withdraw the newly enacted Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, also known as VB-G RAM G.
The resolution also called for the restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, amid growing opposition to the new law.
Opposition Protests Intensify
The move comes as Opposition parties continue nationwide protests, accusing the Centre of weakening the right to employment for rural workers.
Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal criticised the new law, alleging that it takes away fundamental rights.
“They have taken away the right to employment through the new bill. The intention is very clear—they want to weaken the rights of common people,” Venugopal said.
The Congress has launched the ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’ campaign, organising protests across state capitals.
Congress leader Pawan Khera said that governments that ignore workers and farmers do not survive for long.
“Saving NREGA means saving the voice of workers. Any government that insults farmers and labourers will not last,” Khera said.
Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh accused the Centre of promoting excessive centralisation.
“New law guarantees only centralisation in New Delhi,” Ramesh said in a post on X, calling MGNREGA a “transformative law” and the new scheme a “flaw”.
Opposition parties have raised several objections to the VB-G RAM G Act, including:
- Removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme
- Shift in funding pattern
- Greater control by the Centre
- Reduced role of state governments
They are also demanding a 60:40 funding ratio between the Centre and states, instead of full central funding.
While the new law increases guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days, critics argue that it weakens accountability and decentralisation.
Impact on Rural Employment
MGNREGA has been one of India’s largest rural welfare schemes, providing livelihood support to millions of families. Experts say any major change to the programme could affect rural income security and migration patterns.
Opposition leaders claim the new framework may limit accessibility and reduce transparency in implementation.
With the Kerala Assembly passing a formal resolution, pressure is mounting on the Central Government to review the VB-G RAM G Act. As protests continue nationwide, the future of rural employment policy remains a key political issue.
The Centre is yet to respond officially to the resolution.
Our Final Thoughts
The Kerala Assembly’s move reflects growing concern among Opposition-ruled states over changes to MGNREGA. While extending workdays is seen as positive, questions over funding and centralisation remain unresolved.
How the Centre addresses these concerns will be crucial in shaping rural welfare policy and maintaining cooperative federalism in the coming months.