Patna, Jan 8 (NationPress) In response to the enactment of a new law in December 2025 that substitutes the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) with the VB-G RAM G scheme, the Congress party has declared a statewide protest across Bihar. The party claims this shift will negatively affect rural laborers and impose an extra financial strain on economically weaker states.

Senior Congress figure Shakeel Ahmed Khan expressed deep concerns regarding the motivations of the Central government behind this legislative change. He asserted that the administration intentionally omitted Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the new scheme, even though MNREGA has been pivotal in securing employment for rural workers, especially in regions like Bihar.

Khan emphasized that, under the new framework, states must shoulder 40 percent of the scheme's expenses, a requirement absent in MNREGA, which was entirely funded by the Central government.

“This modification will profoundly affect economically disadvantaged states such as Bihar,” he remarked.

Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of seeking to dismantle MNREGA through this new legislation.

“Initially, the BJP aimed to erase the legacy of Bapu and the principles of truth and non-violence. Secondly, the scheme has been transformed into a mission. Unlike a scheme, which cannot be easily terminated, a mission can be revoked at any moment,” Rajesh Ram stated.

He further contended that while the Centre has pledged 125 days of employment under the new law, states have been stripped of substantial decision-making authority, retaining all power within the Central government.

“Even the ability to modify or discontinue the program lies solely with the Centre. The Congress will oppose the implementation of this system under any circumstances,” he declared.

In outlining the protest schedule, Rajesh Ram noted that the Congress has arranged a statewide movement from January 10 to February 25.

The agenda includes district-level press briefings on January 10, followed by a day-long fast on January 11. Public meetings at the panchayat level are set for January 12, and ward-level peace marches and protests will take place on January 30.

Demonstrations at the district level are scheduled from January 31 to February 6, with Assembly constituency protests from February 5 to February 15. Regional rallies are planned from February 16 to February 25.

“The BJP government altered the name because it disapproves of Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy. The Congress intends to bring this issue to the public and sustain our movement for the next month,” Rajesh Ram asserted, adding that party leaders are committed to intensifying the fight for workers’ rights at the grassroots.

Additionally, the new law introduces several structural modifications. It now guarantees rural households 125 days of employment annually, an increase from the previous 100 days.

The funding structure has shifted from complete Central funding to a 60:40 Centre-state ratio, obligating states to cover 40 percent of the expenses.

The scheme also prioritizes the development of sustainable infrastructure, such as water conservation initiatives, rural roads, and disaster management projects, over temporary manual labor.