The Crossbill News Desk
With the Union government preparing to roll out the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G, from July 1 as a replacement for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MG-NREGA), workers' organisations have intensified their opposition, alleging that the new framework is being introduced without adequate consultation and at the cost of workers' rights.
The NREGA Sangharsh Morcha (NSM), a network of workers' groups and activists, has called for the immediate suspension of the scheme's implementation, arguing that the draft rules governing the new programme were prepared without meaningful public participation and are being rushed through despite widespread concerns.
In a press statement, the NSM strongly objected to the manner in which it was being introduced, criticising how it was rushed through both Houses of parliament in under a week, with “no meaningful space for NREGA workers or civil society to participate”.
“This trend has continued into the public consultation for the GRAMG Act’s draft rules. The rules were released on 23 May 2026, with the feedback deadline set for 21st June — yet MoRD (Ministry of Rural Development) has already announced GRAMG will be implemented from 1st July. The consultation is plainly a farce; the Ministry has no intention of meaningfully engaging with public recommendations,” the statement said.
The draft rules, notified on May 24, are open for public objections and suggestions until June 21. The new framework is expected to come into force on July 1 and includes provisions linking central allocations to states through the 16th Finance Commission's horizontal devolution formula.
Drawing a comparison with the consultation process followed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology during the formulation of rules under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, the NSM alleged that the process adopted for VB-G RAM G lacked transparency and meaningful engagement with stakeholders.
“NREGA was a people’s Act — the culmination of years of worker struggle and grassroots mobilisation. Its replacement with an opaque, arbitrary, and undemocratic statute constitutes a direct assault on worker rights. The draft rules make abundantly clear what unions have asserted for years: that the Modi Government has no concern for workers’ interests,” they stated.
The workers' collective also argued that several contentious features of the existing employment guarantee system have been carried forward into the new scheme.
According to the NSM, workers have repeatedly protested against what they describe as coercive technological requirements and inadequate wage rates, concerns that remain unaddressed in the proposed framework.
The organisation further claimed that disruptions are already being felt on the ground during the transition period between MG-NREGA and VB-G RAM G. It alleged that workers in several areas are facing difficulties in submitting work demand applications and accessing employment opportunities.
“Despite repeated MoRD assurances that NREGA would continue smoothly until VB-GRAMG commences, the ground reality is starkly different. Local officials are not accepting work demand applications or opening worksites, and over Rs. 3,200 crore of wage payments are still pending from FY 25-26. There is overwhelming evidence of disruption: MoRD’s own data shows NREGA employment between April 2025 and April 2026 was 57% lower, with a 49% decline in May. Further, facial recognition related issues are causing havoc with attendance, leading to significant exclusions,” the statement read.
Calling for a complete pause in the rollout process, the NSM urged the government to initiate a more inclusive consultation mechanism before proceeding with implementation.
“The implementation of VB-GRAMG must be immediately and unconditionally halted,” the NSM demanded, adding that a “fair and transparent public consultation process must be established before any implementation proceeds, with adequate time and access for worker representatives and civil society organisations to participate meaningfully.”
The draft rules must be revised through genuine engagement with stakeholders, addressing long-standing concerns around the use of technology and wage rates, they said.
“Proceeding without a legitimate consultation process will inevitably lead to chaos and cause further irreparable harm to workers and their families. NSM holds the Government accountable for the consequences of any hasty implementation,” they said.
As the July 1 rollout date approaches, the dispute highlights growing concerns among workers' organisations about the transition from MG-NREGA to the new rural employment framework and the manner in which the changes are being implemented.
The NREGA Sangharsh Morcha (NSM), a network of workers' groups and activists, has called for the immediate suspension of the scheme's implementation, arguing that the draft rules governing the new programme were prepared without meaningful public participation and are being rushed through despite widespread concerns.
In a press statement, the NSM strongly objected to the manner in which it was being introduced, criticising how it was rushed through both Houses of parliament in under a week, with “no meaningful space for NREGA workers or civil society to participate”.
“This trend has continued into the public consultation for the GRAMG Act’s draft rules. The rules were released on 23 May 2026, with the feedback deadline set for 21st June — yet MoRD (Ministry of Rural Development) has already announced GRAMG will be implemented from 1st July. The consultation is plainly a farce; the Ministry has no intention of meaningfully engaging with public recommendations,” the statement said.
The draft rules, notified on May 24, are open for public objections and suggestions until June 21. The new framework is expected to come into force on July 1 and includes provisions linking central allocations to states through the 16th Finance Commission's horizontal devolution formula.
Drawing a comparison with the consultation process followed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology during the formulation of rules under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, the NSM alleged that the process adopted for VB-G RAM G lacked transparency and meaningful engagement with stakeholders.
“NREGA was a people’s Act — the culmination of years of worker struggle and grassroots mobilisation. Its replacement with an opaque, arbitrary, and undemocratic statute constitutes a direct assault on worker rights. The draft rules make abundantly clear what unions have asserted for years: that the Modi Government has no concern for workers’ interests,” they stated.
The workers' collective also argued that several contentious features of the existing employment guarantee system have been carried forward into the new scheme.
According to the NSM, workers have repeatedly protested against what they describe as coercive technological requirements and inadequate wage rates, concerns that remain unaddressed in the proposed framework.
The organisation further claimed that disruptions are already being felt on the ground during the transition period between MG-NREGA and VB-G RAM G. It alleged that workers in several areas are facing difficulties in submitting work demand applications and accessing employment opportunities.
“Despite repeated MoRD assurances that NREGA would continue smoothly until VB-GRAMG commences, the ground reality is starkly different. Local officials are not accepting work demand applications or opening worksites, and over Rs. 3,200 crore of wage payments are still pending from FY 25-26. There is overwhelming evidence of disruption: MoRD’s own data shows NREGA employment between April 2025 and April 2026 was 57% lower, with a 49% decline in May. Further, facial recognition related issues are causing havoc with attendance, leading to significant exclusions,” the statement read.
Calling for a complete pause in the rollout process, the NSM urged the government to initiate a more inclusive consultation mechanism before proceeding with implementation.
“The implementation of VB-GRAMG must be immediately and unconditionally halted,” the NSM demanded, adding that a “fair and transparent public consultation process must be established before any implementation proceeds, with adequate time and access for worker representatives and civil society organisations to participate meaningfully.”
The draft rules must be revised through genuine engagement with stakeholders, addressing long-standing concerns around the use of technology and wage rates, they said.
“Proceeding without a legitimate consultation process will inevitably lead to chaos and cause further irreparable harm to workers and their families. NSM holds the Government accountable for the consequences of any hasty implementation,” they said.
As the July 1 rollout date approaches, the dispute highlights growing concerns among workers' organisations about the transition from MG-NREGA to the new rural employment framework and the manner in which the changes are being implemented.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment