For Adivasis, MGNREGA’s Undoing Will Have Devastating Consequences | A rural jobs law without a…

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For Adivasis, MGNREGA’s Undoing Will Have Devastating Consequences

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The new framework rests on conditions that do not exist in most tribal regions, and this will lead to systematic exclusion—quiet, but deeply consequential

The Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB G RAM G) is being presented as a modern and efficient replacement for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The new framework promises 125 days of employment, predictable funding through normative allocations, improved asset creation, and closer alignment with national development priorities. 

A rural jobs law without a guarantee

Mandeshri Devi, 60, from Mahanth Maniyari village in Muzaffarpur district, and her two daughters-in-law, work as daily-wage labourers. Her two sons earn a living as masons. The family depends on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for work, a large-scale rural employment programme that guarantees up to 100 days of wage work per household.

“We barely get 30 to 40 days of work in a year, even though we are entitled to 100 days,” she says. “Still, the ₹20,000–25,000 we earn through MGNREGA is a big relief for our family.”

Now, Mandeshri Devi is protesting in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, along with hundreds of other workers. They say work has stopped since the centre introduced the Viksit Bharat — Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) Bill, which replaces MGNREGA. Another protester, Rinku Devi, says she has not been paid wages for work she completed three months ago. “Now, there is no work either,” she adds.

MGNREGA vs G Ram G: How protest rallies turning blessing in disguise for faction-ridden Punjab Congress

In the run-up to the 2027 Assembly elections, the MGNREGA and its new avatar G RAM G have become a latest tool in the hands of the political parties to push forward their election agenda.

For the Congress, the controversy over the revamp of the scheme has come as blessing in disguise, giving it an opportunity to bring all warring factions on one platform.

While holding the ‘Save MGNREGA’ rallies, the Congress also seems to be correcting its perception of rift within the party. The rallies, which started on January 8, shall continue till January 12. Being conducted in the presence of Punjab incharge Bhupesh Baghel and Congress co-incharge Ravinder Dalvi, several leaders of the party had been sent across the message to attend all 10 rallies (two each day).

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