'Another lazy headline-grabbing exercise': Congress on VB-G RAM G Act notification date

New Delhi: The Congress on Monday strongly criticised the Centre’s decision to bring the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act (VB-G RAM G Act) into force from July 1, calling it a “lazy, headline-grabbing exercise” and warning that it would weaken rural workers’ rights.

Congress general secretary for communications, Jairam Ramesh, alleged that the new law, set to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) amounts to “extreme centralisation” and undermines the bargaining power of rural labourers.

In a post on X, Ramesh said the Union Ministry of Rural Development’s announcement “adds nothing new” and criticised the absence of detailed guidelines ahead of implementation. He argued that if the scheme is to be rolled out from July 1, 2026, operational clarity and consultations with states should already have been completed in a meaningful manner rather than treated as a formality.

He further claimed that the government was “eroding” constitutional guarantees, including the right to work and fair wages for rural households. Sharing a chart, he listed what he described as “four attacks” under the new framework—targeting the right to work, wage security, panchayati raj institutions, and state finances.

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The Centre, however, has described the legislation as a “historic transition” in rural development policy. According to the Ministry of Rural Development, the VB-G RAM G Act is designed to replace MGNREGA with a new framework providing 125 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households.

The government said the reform is aligned with its broader vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047” and aims to create a more “future-ready and productivity-oriented rural economy” while strengthening livelihoods and village-level infrastructure.

Official notifications stated that the new Act will come into effect across all states and Union Territories from July 1, with MGNREGA being repealed simultaneously. However, ongoing works under the existing scheme as of June 30 will continue under transitional provisions.

The ministry also assured that existing e-KYC verified job cards will remain valid until new “Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards” are issued, and that workers will not be denied employment due to pending verification.

Draft rules covering wage payments, grievance redressal mechanisms, fund allocation, and administrative procedures are currently being finalised in consultation with states and Union Territories and will be released for public feedback soon.