The Congress party has announced a statewide agitation programme from January 10 to February 25, protesting against the BJP-led NDA government’s decision to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025.
Addressing the media after chairing a party meeting on Thursday, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Vincent H Pala said the party is preparing for a series of protests across the state.
“We are planning a series of agitations. They have done away with MGNREGA and are implementing the VB-G RAM G scheme. This move reflects their obsession with removing the name of Mahatma Gandhi and an attempt to communalise issues,” Pala alleged.
The Congress leader claimed that the new scheme is aimed at curtailing the rights of the poor and differs fundamentally from MGNREGA, which he described as a demand-driven programme.
“In MGNREGA, if a person demands work, the authority is bound to provide employment within 15 days or pay compensation. In the new Bill, there is no real guarantee. Requests will be sent to the Centre, which will decide whether funds are sanctioned or not,” Pala said.
He further accused the BJP government of weakening welfare schemes through unreliable technological mechanisms, including Aadhaar-based and geo-tagged systems.
“While internet connectivity may be available in Shillong, it is not the same in rural areas. Due to lack of internet, people are being deprived of their rights,” he stated.
Pala said the Congress will organise agitations at the zonal, district, and state levels, with further details to be announced on January 10 through a nationwide press briefing.
“We will expose them step by step. There will be symbolic fasting at the district level and larger agitations at the zonal, district, and state levels,” he added.