HT Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, Jan 19: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has decided to intensify its agitation against the Centre’s decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025.
Addressing reporters at the Namsai district Congress office on Monday, APCC president Bosiram Siram said that Congress workers would lay siege to the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly between February 7 and 15, following a directive issued by the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
Related Posts:
Siram said that the APCC has been protesting the move since the new Act came into force, organising strikes and dharnas in the state capital Itanagar. To reach grassroots-level Congress workers across the state, the party has also launched a massive “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram” under his leadership.
“The outreach programme is aimed at creating awareness among Congress workers and the people of the state about the lacunae and adverse effects of the newly crafted VB-G RAM G Act,” Siram said.
Recalling the history of the scheme, Siram said that twenty years ago, the government led by Dr Manmohan Singh gave life to the constitutional Right to Work by enacting the MGNREGA. Since then, the scheme has generated more than 180 crore days of employment, created nearly 10 crore assets such as village tanks and roads and strengthened the Panchayati Raj system by empowering Gram Panchayats to decide village-level projects.
He added that during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, MGNREGA served as a lifeline for the rural Indian economy. Siram alleged that instead of strengthening the existing scheme, the Centre weakened several of its provisions, which would severely affect rural populations dependent on it. He claimed that the move was carried out intentionally and on purely political grounds.
Advocate A K Techi, vice president of the APCC, Chua Taye, general secretary, Gollo Nipo, secretary, APCC and Minj Jerimoi Kring, APCC East Siang in-charge were also present at the meeting.
