Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Congress Accuses Modi Government of Destroying Rural Job Guarantee
Congress says a new rural jobs law has weakened the older MGNREGA scheme.
MGNREGA was designed to provide work to poor and rural families.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the new VB-G RAM G Act has reduced access to jobs.
He pointed to figures from Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh.
The district reportedly provided 10,669 days of work against a target of 1.76 lakh man-days in two months.
Congress says this problem is happening in other districts too.
The party also says wages under the new law are too low.
It wants the old job guarantee restored and strengthened.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the Modi government of undermining MGNREGA through the VB-G RAM G Act.
Ramesh cited Ballia figures showing 10,669 days of work against a target of 1.76 lakh man-days over two months.
The VB-G RAM G Act came into force nationwide on July 1, replacing MGNREGA.
Congress claimed the new law ended the poor’s right to employment and offered unjustifiably low wages.
The party demanded repeal of the new law and restoration of a strengthened MGNREGA with higher minimum wages.
- Who
- Congress, represented by general secretary Jairam Ramesh, criticized the Modi government and the VB-G RAM G Act.
- What
- Congress alleged that the new law weakened or ended MGNREGA’s rural employment guarantee.
- When
- The report was dated September 1; the VB-G RAM G Act took effect on July 1.
- Where
- The law took effect across India; Congress highlighted Ballia district.
- Why
- Congress said the new scheme provides too little work and wages, and demanded restoration of a strengthened MGNREGA.
- Scheme replaced
- The VB-G RAM G Act replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
- Effective date
- The new Act came into force nationwide on July 1.
- Ballia target
- Ballia district had a target of 1.76 lakh man-days of work over two months.
- Ballia work provided
- According to the figures cited by Congress, 10,669 days of work were provided.
- Congress representative
- Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, made the accusation.
- Congress demand
- The party called for repeal of the new law and restoration of a strengthened MGNREGA.
- Wage proposal
- Congress referred to the 2019 recommendation of an expert committee headed by Dr Anoop Satpathy, adjusted for subsequent price increases.
