Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday strongly criticised the Centre over the newly passed VB-G RAM G Bill, accusing the Narendra Modi-led NDA government of “bulldozing MGNREGA.”

The bill, introduced earlier this week, replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Parliament cleared the legislation, which raises guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125.

“Government Has Run a Bulldozer Over MGNREGA”

In a video message, Sonia Gandhi expressed deep concern over the move. “It is very saddening to see that the government has now run a bulldozer over MGNREGA,” she said.

She added that she was “determine to fight this black law”.

Name of Mahatma Gandhi Removed, Says Sonia

Sonia Gandhi said the government had changed the very nature of the scheme. “Not only was the name of Mahatma Gandhi removed, but MGNREGA's true form was changed without a second thought, without consulting anyone, and without the trust of the opposition,” she said.

According to her, the programme was never linked to any political party and was meant to serve the national interest.

Congress Claims Law Hurts Poor and Farmers

Sonia Gandhi described MGNREGA as a public welfare scheme and accused the government of weakening it. She said the Modi government had “attacked the interests of the poor” and crores of farmers by changing the law.

She also claimed that under the new system, the Centre would “sit in Delhi and decide” how much work would be given and where.

MGNREGA Was a Landmark Reform, Sonia Says

Recalling the law’s passage 20 years ago, Sonia Gandhi called MGNREGA a historic and transformative step. “It became a means of livelihood for the deprived, the exploited, the poor, and the extremely poor,” she said.

She added that the scheme strengthened village panchayats and supported Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of village self-rule.

Lifeline During Covid-19

Sonia Gandhi said MGNREGA proved critical during the Covid-19 crisis. She noted that the programme helped millions of poor families survive when jobs disappeared across the country.

Centre Defends New Law, Cites Corruption

The Centre has rejected the Congress’s allegations. It said MGNREGA under the UPA was affected by corruption, especially in material procurement.

According to the government, funds were often misused and not spent on intended work.

What the VB-G RAM G Bill Changes

The new law is officially titled the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill.

The Centre said the legislation introduces changes in funding, wage payments, and guaranteed workdays. It also includes new provisions such as a 60-day pause clause.

The government has allocated ₹95,000 crore for the programme.

Opposition Protests in Parliament

The Lok Sabha passed the bill through a voice vote amid loud opposition protests.

Several MPs entered the well of the House, raised slogans, and tore copies of the bill. Some even threw papers toward the chair.

The Opposition accused the NDA government of insulting Mahatma Gandhi and diluting the spirit of the employment guarantee law.

More Days of Work, Says Centre

The Centre said the new bill offers a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment, compared to the earlier 100 days.

It also stressed that the goal is to improve transparency and ensure public money is spent properly.