Archive · 13 Jan 2026
VB-GRAMG Act Sparks Political Debate
Union Ministers Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, G. Kishan Reddy, and Kiren Rijiju talked about a new law called the VB-GRAMG Act.
They said it will help poor people in rural areas by giving them more work days, a break during harvest time, and making sure they get paid on time.
The law also uses technology to make things fair and transparent.
The ministers criticized the opposition parties for spreading wrong information about the law.
The Congress party, however, is unhappy with the new law and has started a campaign called 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' to bring back the old law, MGNREGA.
They say the new law is not good for the people and want the government to change it back.
The Congress has set up a committee to oversee the campaign and has asked people to join and sign a petition to the President.
Union Ministers defended the VB-GRAMG Act, accusing opposition parties of spreading misinformation.
The Act aims to transform rural employment by increasing guaranteed work days to 125 and introducing a 60-day harvest break.
Key reforms include geo-tracking to eliminate middlemen, unemployment allowance, and penalties for delayed wage payments.
The government has released ₹8,53,810 crore for employment schemes over the past decade, creating 862 lakh permanent infrastructure assets.
Congress launched the 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' campaign to restore MGNREGA, criticizing the government for replacing it with the VB-GRAMG Act.
- Who
- Union Ministers Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, G. Kishan Reddy, and Kiren Rijiju; Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi
- What
- Defense of the VB-GRAMG Act by Union Ministers and criticism by Congress; political debate over the replacement of MGNREGA
- When
- Monday and Tuesday (specific dates not mentioned)
- Where
- BJP office in Bhimavaram, Hyderabad, and Lucknow
- Why
- To highlight the benefits of the new Act, address concerns about rural employment, and criticize the government's decision to replace MGNREGA
- Act Name
- Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission - Gramin (VB–G RAM G)
- Guaranteed Work Days
- 125 days (increased from 100 days)
- Harvest Break
- 60-day break during harvest seasons
- Funding for Employment Schemes
- ₹8,53,810 crore over the past decade
- Permanent Infrastructure Assets
- 862 lakh
- Highway Expansion
- Akividu – Digumarru (NH 165) highway
- Additional Costs
- ₹17,000 crore nationally, ₹340 crore for Telangana
- Key Reforms
- Mandatory work provision, unemployment allowance, 5% penalty on delayed wages, DBT payments, geo-tagging, social audits
- Administrative Funding
- 9% of total expenditure
- Irrigation Project
- Palamuru-Rangareddy lift irrigation project
- MGNREGA Expenditure
- Over ₹11 lakh crore
- Congress Campaign
- MGNREGA Bachao Sangram
- Campaign Duration
- January 10 to February 25
- Congress Demands
- Restore MGNREGA, fix minimum wage at ₹400 per day, empower Panchayati Raj Institutions
Sources
Kishan Reddy Defends VB-GRAMG Act, Flays Congress
G RAM G Dilutes MGNREGA’s Spirit, Will Trigger Public Backlash: Kharge
VB-G RAM G will transform rural economy
BJP flayed for renaming MGNREGS
‘Sankranti gift to Naidu’: Harish Rao slams Revanth over Nallamala Sagar
Abolition of districts will lead to Cong downfall: KTR
MGNREGA was ‘guarantee of loot’, no scope for even Rs 1 corruption in VB-G RAM G: Rijiju
Govt has run bulldozer over MGNREGA, struggle on for restoring right to work: Congress
Viksit Bharat–G RAM G will boost jobs, assets and accountability in villages: Goa CM Pramod Sawant
'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' reaching 2.5 lakh gram panchayats: Congress
MNREGA replaced with G Ram G for better development of rural infrastructure: Kiren Rijiju
'MGNREGA Was Guarantee Of Loot, No Corruption In VB-G RAM G': Kiren Rijiju
Bandi Sanjay Backs New VB-G Ram Ji Employment Scheme
