Hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch the NDA's campaign in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister MK Stalin moved a strongly-worded resolution in the State Assembly opposing the Centre's rebranded rural employment guarantee programme, Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM-G).
The resolution calls for the restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) framework, warning that the proposed changes could weaken rural livelihoods, undermine federal principles, and place an additional financial burden on states.
Introducing the resolution, Stalin argued that the Centre's move to replace the MGNREGA model amounts to diluting a landmark social security programme. “The Right to Work of rural people must be protected as guaranteed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act,” the resolution states, urging the Union government to ensure continuous funding based on employment demand and state performance.
A key concern highlighted in the resolution is the proposed shift to a discretionary, assessment-based allocation of funds. Tamil Nadu demands that the earlier demand-driven, employment-based allocation model be restored, arguing that the new system could reduce transparency and weaken states' autonomy in addressing local employment needs.
The resolution further insists that annual allocations for the scheme should not fall below previous years' levels, stressing the need to safeguard the livelihoods of women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and persons with disabilities. It warns that raising the State's contribution to 40 percent under the new framework would significantly increase the financial burden on state governments.
Stalin also criticised the Centre's decision to remove Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme. “With various intentions, the name of the Father of the Nation has been removed. The scheme should continue to bear Mahatma Gandhi's name in remembrance of the principles and path he showed the nation,” the resolution declares.
The political confrontation over the scheme has intensified at the national level. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had yesterday accused the Union government of effectively scrapping MGNREGA and paving the way for what he termed “bonded labour.” Warning of wider democratic implications, Kharge said the move could leave workers at the mercy of wealthy employers. “They are trying to bring back slavery,” he said, adding that economic exclusion could ultimately endanger democratic rights.
The BJP has rejected the allegations, insisting that the new scheme is an upgrade rather than a rollback. BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy told NDTV that the Centre harbours no aversion to either MGNREGA or Mahatma Gandhi's legacy. “MGNREGA has served its purpose for 20 years. This is a new scheme that reflects the large-scale development it enabled. Keeping the same name would cause confusion. Stalin should understand this scheme will bring in more funds,” he said.
With the Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign gaining momentum in Tamil Nadu, the resolution signals a sharpening political battle over legacy of one of India's most significant social security programmes and concerns over livelihood and social security of large sections of poor communities across India as there is worry the 40 percent burden on states could make poorer states to abandon the scheme.
