Shivraj Chouhan assures seamless shift to VB-G RAM G; Kharge raises questions on MGNREGA dues

On the eve of nationwide rollout of Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Act, 2025, Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that no eligible rural worker should remain without work even for a single day, while Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge flagged the pending dues to State governments under the predecessor Act — Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

In a statement issued here, Mr. Chouhan said the Centre has been working in close coordination with States and Union Territories and has completed all administrative, financial, and technical preparations to ensure seamless transition to the new framework.

“Our priority is to ensure that no eligible rural worker remains without work even for a single day. The Centre and the States have worked together to complete all preparations for the implementation of the VB-GRAM G Act. Adequate financial resources have been made available, implementation systems are fully in place, and ongoing works will continue without interruption,” Mr. Chouhan said.

He added that the enhanced guarantee of 125 days of wage employment, against 100 days under the MGNREGA, would strengthen rural livelihoods, create durable community assets, and accelerate the vision of Viksit Bharat. To facilitate the nationwide rollout from July 1, the government has allocated an interim sum of ₹95,692.31 crore to States and Union Territories, he said.

Seven questions

Meanwhile, Mr. Kharge, in a post on X, posed seven questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including on pending dues to States under MGNREGA. He accused the government of stripping rural India of the right to work by repealing the scheme.

Citing a reply given by the government in the Lok Sabha in March this year, Mr. Kharge said ₹17,144.13 crore was outstanding to 34 States and Union Territories under MGNREGA, including ₹7,846.25 crore in wage liabilities. “This means the workers haven’t received their rightful payment yet. Why?” Mr. Kharge asked. He cited Karnataka, which is owed about ₹700 crore, and Jharkhand, which has dues of around ₹900 crore. Mr. Kharge also questioned the revised funding pattern under the new law, under which most States are required to bear 40% of the total expenditure. He said even BJP-governed Madhya Pradesh and Bihar had expressed concerns over the arrangement.

He further argued that, despite objections from several States, the government had proceeded with the “blackout” provision that halts work for 60 days during the farming season.

“Why is the Central government forcing this anti-labour system on farmers and rural workers?” he asked.

Mr. Kharge also highlighted what he described as the government’s reluctance to increase wages. “This June saw 42% less rainfall. Kharif sowing is down 22.7%. Over 300 districts could be gripped by drought, deepening the livelihood crisis in rural India. In this situation, ending MGNREGA — isn’t it an attack on workers, SCs, STs, OBCs and the poor?” he said.