Congress to Launch Nationwide Campaign Against G-RAMG Act

The Congress has announced a nationwide protest starting January 8 against the G-RAMG Act, accusing it of undermining the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). Party leaders K. C. Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh revealed the plan during a press briefing in New Delhi.
Venugopal stated that the Congress aims to safeguard MNREGA through the ‘MNREGA Bachao Abhiyan’ campaign, criticizing the G-RAMG Act for jeopardizing the right to work for rural citizens. He emphasized that MNREGA has been pivotal in reducing hunger, curbing migration, and facilitating infrastructure development.
The new legislation, according to Venugopal, alters the employment dynamics by removing the guaranteed right to work and imposing budget constraints. Ramesh raised concerns over the centralization of decision-making under G-RAMG, highlighting potential adverse impacts on villages and panchayats.
Ramesh also pointed out constitutional violations in the enactment of the law, stressing the need for consultations between state and central governments as per Article 258. He drew parallels with the farmers’ protest, asserting that the MNREGA campaign would be decentralized and inclusive of various levels of governance.
The campaign is set to kick off on January 8 and extend for 45 days, with Ramesh indicating a willingness to pursue legal action if necessary, drawing inspiration from the recent repeal of the farm laws.