Congress Launches ‘Save MGNREGA’ Movement in Assam to Oppose New Rural Jobs Law
The Indian National Congress is mobilising its Assam cadre for a significant protest campaign against the Centre’s recently introduced rural jobs law, marking a new chapter in political mobilisation ahead of key elections. From Saturday, January 10, the party will officially launch the “Save MGNREGA Movement” across the state to challenge the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar & Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act—popularly known as the VB-G RAM G Act.
Speaking from Guwahati, AICC general secretary in charge of Assam, Manoj Chauhan, framed the campaign as a defence of rural workers’ rights, alleging that the new legislation effectively dismantles the core promise of the erstwhile Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)—the legally binding guarantee of work for rural households. Congress leaders across Assam will kick off press conferences at district headquarters to highlight what they describe as a betrayal of workers by the government.
As part of the launch, Congress will organise a statewide day-long dharna on January 11 and hold protest meetings in every gram panchayat from January 12 to 29. The movement will culminate with another dharna on January 30, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary, reinforcing Congress’s narrative that the original employment guarantee scheme is under threat.
Congress has announced that it will continue the agitation until the government withdraws the VB-G RAM G Act and restores MGNREGA’s provisions. Party workers and rural labourers will actively participate, turning the movement into a major political battle over rural welfare policy in one of India’s key states.
