Archive · 6 Jan 2026
Congress Protests New Rural Employment Law
The Congress party in Jharkhand held a big protest march in Ranchi.
They were upset because the government changed a law called MGNREGA, which used to give people in villages a guarantee of 100 days of work.
The new law, called VB-G-RAM-G, promises 125 days of work but the Congress says it's not as good.
They think the new law takes away important rights like fair wages and the ability to choose what work to do.
The protest started at Bapu Vatika and ended at Lok Bhavan.
The Congress leaders said they will tell everyone in the villages about these changes and keep fighting for the old law.
The Congress has also called a meeting of its MPs and legislators on January 8 to plan a nationwide protest called 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' to fight against the new law.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Assembly passed a resolution against the new law, accusing the central government of taking away livelihoods.
The Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, called the resolution political and devoid of facts, claiming that the new law improves upon MGNREGA by offering more workdays, higher wages, and transparent payments.
He also alleged that the previous system was riddled with corruption and inefficiencies.
The Jharkhand Congress held a protest march in Ranchi against the implementation of the new VB-G-RAM-G law, which replaced MGNREGA.
The new law promises 125 days of work in a financial year, compared to 100 days under MGNREGA.
Protesters carried slogans criticizing the new law and expressing concern about the loss of rights and benefits.
Congress leaders plan to take their campaign to every village in Jharkhand to inform MGNREGA workers about the changes.
The Congress has called a meeting of its MPs and legislators on January 8 to plan a nationwide protest called 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram'.
- Who
- Jharkhand Congress, Punjab Assembly, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and rural workers
- What
- Protest against the implementation of the new VB-G-RAM-G law and a resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly against the same law
- When
- January 5 (protest), December 30 (resolution)
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand (protest); Punjab Assembly (resolution)
- Why
- To protest the perceived loss of rights and benefits under the new law and to criticize the law as political and devoid of facts
Congress and AAP
BJP-led Central Government
Law's Impact on Workers
Congress and AAP
The new law (VB-G-RAM-G) takes away rights and benefits, including fair wages and the ability to choose work, negatively impacting poor and Dalit laborers.
BJP-led Central Government
The new law improves upon MGNREGA by offering more guaranteed workdays, higher wages, transparent payments, and creating durable assets, supporting genuine laborers who were previously betrayed by corruption.
Corruption and Efficiency
Congress and AAP
No specific claims about corruption were made by the Congress in the provided articles.
BJP-led Central Government
The previous MGNREGA system suffered from corruption, inefficiencies, and lack of effective monitoring, leading to funds being siphoned off and workers not receiving due benefits.
Political Motives
Congress and AAP
The protest is a genuine effort to save the rights and benefits of rural workers under MGNREGA.
BJP-led Central Government
The resolution against the new law is seen as political opportunism, lacking constructive suggestions and data, and is driven by opposition to welfare reforms.
- Act
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
- New Law
- Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G-RAM-G)
- Work Days
- 125 days in a financial year (new law) vs. 100 days (MGNREGA)
- Protest Location
- Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Protest Organizer
- Jharkhand Congress
- Protest Route
- Bapu Vatika in Morhabadi to Lok Bhavan
- Protest Slogans
- Save MGNREGA, save villages, save the last hope of the poor
- Congress State In-charge
- K Raju
- Congress State President
- Shivakumar
- Meeting Date
- January 8
- Punjab Assembly Resolution
- Unanimously passed a resolution against the VB-G-RAM-G Act on December 30
- Haryana Chief Minister
- Nayab Singh Saini
- Punjab Chief Minister
- Bhagwant Mann
- Wages in Haryana
- Rs 400
- Wages in Punjab
- Rs 339
- Social Audit Findings in Punjab
- 10,663 cases of financial irregularities in 5,915 gram panchayats
Sources
Congress holds protest march in Jharkhand over renaming of MGNREGA
Congress launches nationwide ‘Save MGNREGA Struggle’, slams BJP for undermining rural employment law
Congress to launch ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’ agitation against Centre
BJP Activists Told to Counter Opposition Propaganda on Centre's Rural Job Scheme
Punjab’s resolution on VB-G RAM G political; India bloc spreading misinformation: Haryana CM
Why Modi government’s VB-GRAM G Act is a governance imperative
BJP tears into Cong for opposing G RAM G Act
Punjab resolution against new job law political, devoid of facts: Saini
INDIA spreading lies about VB-G RAM G scheme: Saini
Adityanath attacks Cong, INDIA alliance over ‘misinformation’ on law replacing MGNREGA
BJP, Congress spar over ‘G RAM G’ scheme, future of rural employment in Jharkhand
From demand driven dole to fiscal discipline
Jean Drèze says VB-G RAM G weakens employment guarantee, activists flag proposed 60-day work suspension
Viksit Bharat G Ram G Act to be a game-changer for rural development: CM Yogi
Chhattisgarh: Workers hired under G RAM G, delighted with new wage limit
Political heat rises in Chhattisgarh as Congress, BJP clash over proposed Rural Employment reforms
Jharkhand BJP chief accuses Cong of misleading people on VB G RAM G scheme