Overview
- The Parliamentary Standing Committee said implementation will begin only after rules are framed and warned of challenges in ensuring wage payments and interim funding during the shift.
- The Rural Development Ministry told the panel it is coordinating with states to prevent fake demand in the interim and said it is in touch with West Bengal to clear pending dues.
- SBI Research estimated most states could be net gainers by roughly ₹17,000 crore versus recent MGNREGA averages under the new allocation formula, despite the 60:40 Centre–state funding pattern.
- Opposition mobilisation intensified, with Congress announcing a nationwide protest from January 5 and Punjab Congress launching a state campaign on January 8; Himachal Pradesh leaders also staged a sit-in.
- The new law raises the guarantee to 125 days, shifts from a demand‑driven right to centrally set allocations, introduces digital and biometric oversight, and permits up to 60 no‑work days, as states such as Assam report steep declines in recent person‑days.