'Surgical Strike' on Rural Poor: Jairam Ramesh Slams MGNREGA Replacement
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleges systemic theft of rural wages after MGNREGA was replaced by VB-G RAM G, citing scams in Maharashtra and UP.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has launched a scathing attack on the central government, alleging that the replacement of MGNREGA with the VB-G RAM G Act is nothing short of a "surgical strike" on the social safety net designed to protect rural India. The senior leader claimed that the shift has not only weakened support for distressed workers but has opened the floodgates for systemic corruption and the theft of wages.
Drought and Distress in Maharashtra
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ramesh highlighted the dire situation in Maharashtra, specifically mentioning the Beed district. He noted that several districts in the state are currently grappling with the most severe drought seen in a decade. According to the Congress leader, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) had historically served as a vital guarantee of support during such periods of extreme environmental and economic distress.
He argued that by replacing this established system with the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act (VB-G RAM G), the government has stripped rural workers of their primary shield against poverty during crises.
Allegations of 'Systemic Theft' and Fake Records
The Congress leader based his allegations on a field-level investigation conducted by a reporter from Scroll. The findings suggest a disturbing gap between official government records and the reality on the ground. Ramesh alleged that while official documents show villagers as being employed, many of these individuals have not actually received work for months.
"Local politicians are pocketing their wages – no doubt belonging to the ruling party," Ramesh claimed, describing the situation as a "systemic theft of workers’ wages."
Scams Beyond Maharashtra
The allegations of fraud are not limited to one state. Ramesh pointed out that similar patterns of corruption, including "clone application scams" and "fake attendance" records, have been reported in Uttar Pradesh and other states governed by the BJP. He termed the current administration the "Vote Chori Sarkaar," asserting that they have now perfected the art of stealing wages from the rural poor.
Understanding the VB-G RAM G Act
The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, or VB-G RAM G, officially came into effect on July 1. This legislation, passed during the Winter Session of Parliament in 2025, introduced several key changes to the previous employment guarantee framework:
- Increased Work Days: The previous 100-day employment guarantee has been increased to a 125-day guarantee.
- Funding Shift: The act introduces a 60:40 funding share between the Central government and the State governments.
Opposition's Core Grievances
Despite the increase in guaranteed work days, the Opposition remains critical of the new legislation. Beyond the allegations of corruption, the Congress and other opposing voices have criticized the government for removing Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme, viewing it as an attempt to erase the legacy associated with the original social welfare initiative.