Overview
- The Congress detailed a 45‑day MGNREGA Bachao Sangram from January 10 to February 25 with panchayat‑level outreach, district dharnas and a planned court challenge to the new law.
- The Telangana Legislative Assembly passed an unopposed resolution urging withdrawal of VB‑GRAMG and restoration of the original MGNREGA, becoming the second state after Punjab to do so.
- VB‑GRAMG raises the nominal guarantee to 125 days but shifts 40% of costs to states, centralises selection of panchayats, caps allocations and bars work for 60 days in peak farm season, which critics say ends the right to demand work.
- Rural development data show December demand for MGNREGS work fell about 28% year on year to 18.44 million individuals, while rules to operationalise VB‑GRAMG have not yet been issued.
- The BJP has begun internal outreach to defend the overhaul as development‑focused, as opposition leaders and economists warn of heavier state fiscal burdens under the new framework.