NDA has weakened legal guarantee of rural employment: Congress

The Congress has criticised the BJP-led Central government for repealing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), alleging that the move shifts the financial burden onto the State governments and weakens the legal guarantee of rural employment.

In a statement on Friday, Congress in-charge for Vijayawada Parliamentary constituency, Valluru Bhargav, asked how the States were expected to protect rural livelihoods when the Centre had curtailed its funding responsibility for employment guarantee schemes.

Referring to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s appeal to the Centre for additional financial support, Mr. Valluru said it exposed the inherent flaw in the BJP’s rural employment policy.

“The MGNREGA was a rights-based law with 100% Central funding for wages, ensuring guaranteed employment and dignity of work for rural India. The new VB-G RAM G Act has reduced the Centre’s funding share to 60%, pushing States into financial stress and putting rural employment at risk,” he said.

“How States like Andhra Pradesh, which is already facing fiscal constraints, are expected to mobilise the remaining share without compromising job guarantees,” he asked.

Mr. Valluru demanded that the BJP should tell whether the Centre would provide additional grants, special assistance or budgetary support to offset the reduced funding, particularly ahead of the Union Budget 2026.

“Rural employment cannot be made contingent on a State’s financial capacity. It is a national responsibility. Diluting MGNREGA without ensuring full financial backing amounts to weakening the social safety net for the poorest sections,” he said.