Protests erupted across rural Punjab on Friday as labour unions vehemently opposed the Central government's move to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Instead of convening Gram Sabhas as requested by authorities, villages witnessed demonstrations where copies of the official directive were set ablaze.
Protests Replace Gram Sabhas
The agitation was spearheaded by the Joint Front of Rural and Agricultural Labour Organisations, operating under the banner of Sanjha Mazdoor Morcha. They declared they would not allow MGNREGA to be superseded by the proposed Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission-Gramin (VB-G-RAM-G) scheme. The unions rejected the call to hold Gram Sabhas to pass resolutions supporting the change, choosing direct protest instead.
In a symbolic act of defiance, copies of the Central government's letter instructing panchayats to pass pro-VB-G-RAM-G resolutions were burnt in hundreds of villages. Labour leaders, including Lachhman Singh Sewewala, General Secretary of the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, addressed the gatherings. Sewewala highlighted a critical financial flaw in the new proposal: "While MGNREGA ensured a 90 per cent Central contribution, the proposed VB-G-RAM-G scheme reduces the Centre’s share to 60 per cent, placing an additional burden on states."
Financial Burden and Wider Agitation
Sewewala argued that Punjab, already facing a financial crunch, would struggle to contribute its 40% share, jeopardising employment generation. The labour front called the Centre's move "rubbing salt into the wounds of workers" and vowed strong opposition. They noted that the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has also refused to organise such Gram Sabhas, aligning with the protesters' stance.
The protests are set to escalate. The Morcha announced statewide demonstrations outside the offices of deputy commissioners on January 6 and 7, 2026. Furthermore, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) Punjab has declared an 'Awareness Week' from December 28 to January 4, followed by district and state-level agitations.
SKM held an emergency meeting in Mullanpur Dakha on Thursday, chaired by Baldev Singh Nihalgarh, Mukesh Chandra Sharma, and Binder Singh Golewala. They resolved to strengthen joint struggles against privatisation and anti-people policies. A major protest is scheduled for January 16, 2026, outside all district headquarters' deputy commissioner offices from 12 noon to 3 pm.
Accusations and Broader Opposition
Union leaders accused the Centre of amending labour laws and now attempting to scrap MGNREGA under the influence of international institutions like the World Bank and IMF. Tarsem Peter, a leader from Noormahal, Nawanshahr, accused the government of "snatching employment" and creating village-level hostility by pressuring panchayats.
The SKM's opposition extends beyond MGNREGA. They also oppose the Electricity Amendment Bill, the four labour codes, the Seed Bill 2025, and free trade agreements, viewing them as direct attacks on farmers and workers. The Morcha has urged the Punjab government to pass resolutions against these bills in the upcoming special Assembly session on December 30.
Other prominent leaders who led the Friday protests include Devi Kumari Sarhali Kalan, Gobind Chhajli, Gurmesh Singh, Kulwant Singh Selwara, Mukesh Malaud, and Darshan Nahar at various locations across the state.
