Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a sharp attack on the Central government over the newly passed rural employment legislation, alleging that it has effectively dismantled the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a scheme that supported rural livelihoods for nearly two decades.
Speaking a day after the Bill was passed in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said the government had “demolished 20 years of MGNREGA in one day” and replaced it with a system that weakens the rights of rural workers. He described the move as “anti-village, anti-state, and anti-poor,” warning that it would severely impact India’s rural economy.
From Rights-Based Law to Controlled Scheme
According to Rahul Gandhi, the most serious issue with the new law is that it removes the rights-based nature of MGNREGA. Under the earlier system, rural households had a legal right to demand work, and the government was obligated to provide employment within a fixed time frame.
He claimed the new framework shifts control away from workers and local administrations, giving the Centre greater authority over job allocation, funding, and implementation. This, he argued, could lead to fewer workdays, delayed wages, and increased uncertainty for millions of rural families.
Impact on Marginalised Communities
Rahul Gandhi emphasized that the changes would disproportionately affect women, Dalits, Adivasis, and landless labourers, who depend heavily on guaranteed rural employment for income security. He said MGNREGA was not just a welfare scheme but a social safety net that empowered the weakest sections of society.
He also warned that weakening rural employment guarantees could increase distress migration, forcing people to leave villages in search of work in cities under unsafe and unstable conditions.
Passage of the Bill Draws Opposition Protest
The passage of the Bill saw strong resistance from Opposition parties in Parliament. Several Members of Parliament protested during the proceedings, accusing the government of pushing through a major policy shift without adequate debate or consultation.
Opposition leaders argued that a law affecting crores of rural workers should have been examined more closely by parliamentary committees and discussed with state governments and civil society groups.
Government’s Stand
The government has defended the new rural employment framework, stating that it aims to modernize rural livelihoods, increase productivity, and align employment programs with long-term development goals. Officials claim the new law provides flexibility and integrates skill development with employment opportunities.
However, critics remain unconvinced, saying that flexibility without legal guarantees could weaken worker protections.
A Larger Political Battle Ahead
Rahul Gandhi made it clear that the Congress party would continue to oppose the new law both inside and outside Parliament. He said the issue goes beyond politics and concerns the dignity and survival of rural India.
As debates intensify, the future of rural employment policy has become a major political and social issue, with far-reaching implications for India’s villages and workforce.