The INDIA Bloc on Wednesday staged demonstrations at five locations in Puducherry against the Union government’s move to replace the 20-year-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a new legislation, the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G).
Leading the demonstration at Villianur, Leader of Opposition R. Siva said that ever since the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government came to power, it had undermined the scheme’s objectives.
Pointing out that Puducherry lagged behind in its implementation, Mr. Siva said that on an average work was provided for only 23 days per year during the last five years. The Centre has also not released its contribution to the Union Territory for the scheme.
The Central government has damaged the very purpose of why the previous United Progressive Alliance government brought in the MGNREGA. The new legislation has increased the financial liability of State governments and dismantled the demand-driven structure of the original legislation, he said.
Congress MP V. Vaithilingam and representatives of the VCK and the Left parties participated in the protests.
Published – December 24, 2025 09:16 pm IST
