The Congress on Saturday (January 3, 2026) announced a nationwide 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' from January 10 to February 25 to demand the withdrawal of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, and restoration of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act(MGNREGA) as a rights-based law, the right to work, and the authority of panchayats.
ALSO WATCH Watch: Congress plans ‘MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyan’ from January 5
Addressing a joint press conference, Congress general secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh said through the new VB-G RAM G Act, the Centre has ensured complete centralisation as “employment will no longer be a right under the new Act”, which will be challenged in court.
On whether the States ruled by the INDIA bloc (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) constituents would not implement the new Act or oppose it, Mr. Venugopal said the Congress would hold consultations with all the alliance partners on the way forward.
Death knell for the rural job guarantee
