Centre Assures Seamless Shift to New Rural Job Act; Kharge Flags Pending MGNREGA Dues
Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has assured that no eligible rural worker will face a gap in employment as the government transitions from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Act, 2025. The new law is set for nationwide rollout from July 1.
In a statement, Mr. Chouhan said the Centre has completed all administrative, financial, and technical preparations in coordination with states and Union Territories. “Our priority is to ensure that no eligible rural worker remains without work even for a single day,” he said, adding that ongoing works will continue without interruption. The government has allocated an interim sum of ₹95,692.31 crore to states and UTs to facilitate the rollout.
The VB-G RAM G Act enhances the guaranteed wage employment from 100 days under MGNREGA to 125 days, aiming to strengthen rural livelihoods and create durable community assets. Mr. Chouhan described this as a step toward the vision of Viksit Bharat.
However, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge raised several concerns on social media, posing seven questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr. Kharge flagged pending dues to states under MGNREGA, citing a March 2025 Lok Sabha reply that showed ₹17,144.13 crore outstanding to 34 states and UTs, including ₹7,846.25 crore in wage liabilities. “This means the workers haven’t received their rightful payment yet. Why?” he asked. He specifically mentioned Karnataka (owed about ₹700 crore) and Jharkhand (dues of around ₹900 crore).
Mr. Kharge also questioned the revised funding pattern under the new law, which requires most states to bear 40% of total expenditure. He noted that even BJP-governed Madhya Pradesh and Bihar had expressed concerns. Additionally, he criticized the “blackout” provision that halts work for 60 days during the farming season, arguing it is anti-labour. “Why is the Central government forcing this anti-labour system on farmers and rural workers?” he asked.
Highlighting the government’s reluctance to increase wages, Mr. Kharge pointed to deficient rainfall and reduced Kharif sowing. “This June saw 42% less rainfall. Kharif sowing is down 22.7%. Over 300 districts could be gripped by drought, deepening the livelihood crisis in rural India. In this situation, ending MGNREGA — isn’t it an attack on workers, SCs, STs, OBCs and the poor?” he said.
The exchange underscores the political contestation over rural employment guarantees as the new law takes effect.
