Over 300 scientists, academics, civil society organisations and field functionaries on Monday urged the Union government to undertake ground research and consultations to fix shortcomings in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, rather than repealing the law.
In an open letter, the 355 signatories said that the 2025 Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, which replaced the MGNREGA, was premised on a “misreading” of several problems.
The new law also resorts to solutions that will undo two decades of “radical empowerment” that the MGNREGA had brought about, the letter said.
The 2025 VB-G RAM G Bill was given assent by the president on December 21, two days after it was passed by Parliament amid protests by Opposition parties.
The MGNREGA was introduced in 2005 by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance and aimed at enhancing the livelihood security of households in rural areas. The scheme guaranteed 100 days of unskilled work annually for every rural household that wants it, covering all districts in the country.
Under the new law, the number of guaranteed workdays will increase to 125, while states’ share of costs will rise to 40%. The Union government will continue to bear the wage component, with states sharing material and administrative expenses.
The legislation has drawn criticism from economists and labour rights…
Source: Fix MGNREGA’s shortcomings rather than repealing Act: Scientists, academics to Centre
