Overview
- Karnataka’s cabinet unanimously rejected the new Act and will mount a legal challenge, with a special state legislature session planned to seek a resolution restoring MGNREGA.
- The Congress is beginning coordinated protests on January 10 and aims to secure over 2.5 lakh gram sabha resolutions calling for reinstatement of the original right-to-work framework.
- State units in Punjab, Telangana and Bihar announced multiweek mobilisations, with Telangana planning gram sabhas from January 20–30 followed by district meetings from February 3.
- Critics point to a 60:40 Centre–state funding split, central discretion over state-wise allocations and notified areas, and curtailed panchayat authority over local works.
- The VB-G RAM G law replaces MGNREGA and claims 125 guaranteed workdays, a pledge opponents question due to unclear financing and historically limited workdays delivered.