The political landscape in Meghalaya has been stirred by a sharp critique from the state Congress unit against the central government's recent decision to overhaul a key rural employment scheme. The party has launched a fierce attack on the BJP-led NDA government's move to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a new initiative.
A Direct Assault on Women's Empowerment, Says Congress
Langkupar War, the chairperson of the Meghalaya Congress's social media cell, has been vocal in his condemnation. He labeled the introduction of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, or VB-G RAM G Act, as a direct "attack on women's economic independence and dignity." War argued that the dismantling of MGNREGA strips away a crucial source of empowerment for women, who have been the primary beneficiaries of the scheme.
He emphasized that MGNREGA provided not just jobs but also economic security and a sense of autonomy within households. According to the Congress leader, women constitute nearly 60% of the total beneficiaries under MGNREGA, making them the most vulnerable to any changes in the policy.
Systematic Underfunding and Key Concerns
War backed his allegations with hard figures, accusing the Centre of "systematically underfunding" MGNREGA in recent years. He pointed to a significant gap between the funds demanded and the actual allocations. In the financial year 2021-22, the requirement was Rs 98,000 crore, but only Rs 73,000 crore was allocated. The shortfall was even more stark in 2023-24, with an allocation of Rs 60,000 crore against a demand exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore.
The Congress leader outlined four major changes in the new VB-G RAM G Act that he finds particularly concerning:
- Conditional Implementation: The scheme will be activated only through central notification, removing the demand-driven guarantee.
- Fixed Budget Caps: Allocations will be based on pre-set budget limits rather than actual demand for work.
- Increased State Burden: The financial responsibility on state governments is set to rise.
- Technological Exclusion: New tech-based controls could potentially leave out the most vulnerable and digitally illiterate workers.
Potential Fallout for Meghalaya and Rural India
According to War, these reforms will have a disproportionate impact on rural economies, especially in states like Meghalaya that are heavily dependent on agriculture. He warned that the consequences could be severe, leading to fewer workdays, delayed wage payments, and increased economic vulnerability for millions. The shift from a rights-based framework to a centrally controlled, budget-capped scheme is seen as a fundamental dilution of the social safety net.
In response to these allegations, the Meghalaya unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come out in strong defence of the central government. The state BJP has characterized the changes as necessary reforms aimed at improving and streamlining rural employment schemes for a more developed (Viksit) Bharat. They argue that the new structure will bring in greater efficiency and better target welfare measures.
The debate highlights a deep ideological divide on social welfare policy. As the Congress frames it as a battle for women's dignity and economic rights, the BJP positions it as a step towards progressive governance. The outcome of this policy shift will be closely watched, particularly in states across the Northeast where schemes like MGNREGA have played a pivotal role in rural livelihoods.
