Meghalaya Congress Slams State Govt's Silence on New Rural Jobs Law Replacing MGNREGA

The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has strongly criticised the state government for its silence regarding the potential negative effects of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Act, 2025, which has replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Speaking to the media, MPCC chief organiser Seval Dal Banphira Basaiawmoit expressed concern that the new law could severely harm the rural economy. He pointed out that it centralises authority with the Centre and greatly diminishes the states' involvement in running the programme.

Basaiawmoit suggested that the state government's failure to comment might stem from either a lack of awareness about the law's implications or deliberate indifference due to political and electoral priorities. He accused many elected representatives of prioritising election victories every five years over safeguarding rural livelihoods.

Describing the situation as regrettable, he noted that the government—tasked with protecting rural progress and incomes—has not clarified its stance on legislation that effectively ends MGNREGA. This scheme had been crucial in bolstering the financial stability of rural families.

He emphasised that MGNREGA's guarantee of 100 days of employment had helped reduce distress migration by providing local job opportunities within villages. In contrast, he described the new system as supply-driven, with funding and work distribution fully controlled by the central government in New Delhi, unlike MGNREGA's demand-driven approach.

Basaiawmoit further argued that secure incomes empower people to make independent decisions. "When livelihoods are stable, individuals are less susceptible to political manipulation. However, weak economic conditions force them to seek help from MLAs and leaders, enabling vote-buying practices," he stated.

Separately, MPCC Social Media Department chairman Langkupar War labelled the replacement of MGNREGA with the VB-G RAM G Act as a direct assault on women's dignity and financial autonomy.

War highlighted that MGNREGA had significantly empowered women, who formed nearly 60% of its beneficiaries, by offering them steady employment and economic security. He accused the central government of consistently underfunding the scheme in recent years.

He cited examples: in 2021-22, only ₹73,000 crore was allocated against an estimated need of ₹98,000 crore, while in 2023-24, funding stood at ₹60,000 crore despite demands surpassing ₹1 lakh crore.

War outlined four key shifts under the new Act: employment now depends on central government notification, fixed budget limits replace open-ended guarantees, states face a heavier financial load, and enhanced technological oversight risks excluding vulnerable workers.

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