The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution against the 2025 VB-G RAM G Act, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government of “taking away the right to guaranteed employment” from Dalit labourers, PTI reported.
The House recommended that the state government ask the Union government to immediately restore the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to its original form.
The 2025 Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill replacing the MGNREGA 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 experts.
On December 27, the Congress also said that it would launch a nationwide protest from January 5 to demand the repeal of the VB-G RAM G Act.
The Aam Aadmi…
Source: Punjab Assembly passes resolution against VB-G RAM G Act, seeks restoration of MGNREGA
