The Modi government has replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM-G) Act. This new Act alters the funding structure, increasing the state’s share to 10% in northeastern states like Manipur, where previously the central government covered 100% of wages. Social activist Seram Neken, representing the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, has criticized the new Act, stating that it will hinder implementation in poorer states and lead to insufficient work opportunities; specifically, job card holders may not receive work for 60 days during the agricultural season. He argues that while the government proposes to increase mandays from 100 to 125, reality suggests states can barely provide 40 days of work per year. The Act centralizes work allocation, limiting local demands and authority, as Panchayats will primarily function as implementing agencies, heightening unemployment concerns. The VB-G RAM-G Bill was passed on December 19, 2025, amidst opposition protests and received presidential assent on December 21, formally replacing MGNREGA and aligning with the government’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, which aims for major reforms in rural employment policies.
Imphal