### MGNREGA's Demise: A Shift from Rights to Budget Constraints The recent passage of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill (VB-G RAM G) has sparked significant controversy, particularly among opposition leaders like Sonia Gandhi. This new legislation effectively replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which has been a cornerstone of rural employment and rights in India since its inception. Critics argue that the new bill undermines the fundamental right to work, reducing guaranteed employment from 100 days to just 125 days a year, and transforming a legal entitlement into a budget-limited scheme. This shift is perceived as a direct attack on the livelihoods of millions of rural workers, raising alarms about the erosion of social safety nets in India [https://www.rediff.com/news/report/mgnrega-bulldozed-right-to-work-demolished-sonia/20251222.htm][https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/legal-right-turned-into-budget-limited-scheme-cong-slams-bjp-for-dismantling-mgnrega-13737855.html]. ### Breakdown of the Controversy Surrounding MGNREGA's Replacement 1. **Legislative Changes**: The VB-G RAM G Bill has replaced MGNREGA, which was designed to provide a legal right to work for rural households. Critics argue that this change strips away essential protections and rights [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3738462-controversy-erupts-over-new-employment-act-replacing-mgnrega]. 2. **Political Reactions**: Sonia Gandhi has been vocal in her opposition, labeling the new law as a "black law" that bulldozes the rights of rural workers. She emphasizes that the changes were made without adequate parliamentary discussion or consultation [https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/sonia-gandhi-accuses-centre-bulldozing-mgnrega-warns-catastrophic-fallout-901][https://www.livemint.com/news/india/mgnrega-bulldozed-sonia-gandhi-targets-modi-govt-in-video-message-says-congress-workers-ready-to-fight-black-law-11766226995409.html]. 3. **Impact on Rural Employment**: The new bill is seen as a significant reduction in employment guarantees, with critics warning of catastrophic consequences for rural livelihoods. The Congress party argues that this move represents a systematic erosion of rights-based legislation in India [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3738853-sonia-gandhi-slams-vb-g-ram-g-bill-a-threat-to-rural-rights][https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/bulldozer-mgnrega-sonia-gandhi-attacks-modi-govt-ram-bill-976]. 4. **Historical Context**: MGNREGA was established as a revolutionary step towards providing employment and dignity to rural households. The removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the act is viewed as an attempt to erase its legacy and significance [https://www.fact.net.in/exclusive/mgnrega-was-mahatma-gandhis-vision-of-sarvodaya-its-death-is-a-moral-failure-says-sonia-gandhi][https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mgnrega-bulldozed-g-ram-g-law-sonia-gandhi-rural-india-impact-right-to-work-bjp-2839625-2025-12-22]. ### Summary of Findings on MGNREGA's Replacement **Key Conclusions**: 1. **Erosion of Rights**: The transition from MGNREGA to VB-G RAM G is perceived as a significant erosion of the right to work for rural populations, reducing guaranteed employment and shifting to a discretionary scheme [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3738462-controversy-erupts-over-new-employment-act-replacing-mgnrega]. 2. **Political Backlash**: Sonia Gandhi and other Congress leaders have strongly criticized the government's approach, framing it as a direct attack on rural rights and livelihoods [https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/sonia-gandhi-accuses-centre-bulldozing-mgnrega-warns-catastrophic-fallout-901][https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/legal-right-turned-into-budget-limited-scheme-cong-slams-bjp-for-dismantling-mgnrega-13737855.html]. 3. **Call to Action**: The Congress party is mobilizing to resist these changes, emphasizing the need to protect the rights and livelihoods of rural workers against what they describe as a "draconian law" [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3738853-sonia-gandhi-slams-vb-g-ram-g-bill-a-threat-to-rural-rights][https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sonia-gandhi-accuses-modi-govt-of-bulldozing-mgnrega-ready-to-fight-black-law-vb-g-ram-g-bill-101766229213954.html].