By: The Trek News Desk
The Union government has accused the Congress party of spreading misinformation about the newly introduced rural employment law, VB-G RAM G, claiming that the opposition is deliberately confusing the public through a nationwide campaign against the scheme.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on Monday (January 19, 2026), Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan directly targeted Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, alleging that they are making “false and misleading claims” about the new employment framework. He rejected assertions that job opportunities under VB-G RAM G would be limited to select panchayats, stating that the scheme will be implemented uniformly across the country.
The minister’s remarks come amid the Congress-led 45-day nationwide protest, titled ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’, launched on January 10. Through the campaign, the opposition party is opposing the repeal of the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and demanding the withdrawal of the VB-G RAM G Act, along with the restoration of MGNREGA as a rights-based law in its original form.
Chouhan dismissed claims that the government is taking away the right to work from rural citizens. He said the new law actually strengthens employment guarantees by increasing the number of assured workdays from 100 to 125 per year. He further added that provisions have been made for payment of unemployment allowance within 15 days if work is not provided.
“The Congress only created rights on paper, while we are ensuring their implementation on the ground,” the minister said. He also highlighted government spending on rural employment, claiming that nearly ₹9 lakh crore has been allocated under MGNREGA during the current government’s tenure, compared to around ₹2 lakh crore during the UPA period.
Reiterating the government’s position, Chouhan said VB-G RAM G will be rolled out in all panchayats and will not impose any additional financial burden on state governments. According to him, the Centre is increasing its contribution, while states will focus on strengthening rural infrastructure.
The minister confirmed that the VB-G RAM G Act will be implemented within the next six months. Until then, the existing MGNREGA scheme will continue without interruption.
While the government maintains that VB-G RAM G is aimed at accelerating rural development and making employment delivery more effective, the Congress continues to argue that the new law undermines the rights and autonomy guaranteed to rural workers under MGNREGA.
Source: News Agencies
