New Delhi

Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday accused Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi of spreading misinformation about the newly enacted Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, asserting that the law strengthens — rather than weakens — the right to work in rural India.

Addressing a press conference, Chouhan criticised the Congress’s nationwide campaign against the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), saying the opposition was misleading people by claiming that employment under the new law would be limited to select panchayats.

The Congress launched its 45-day “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram” on January 10 to oppose the repeal of the UPA-era employment guarantee law. The party has demanded the withdrawal of the VB-G RAM G Act and restoration of MGNREGA in its original rights-based form, including the authority of gram panchayats and the legal guarantee of work.

“I want to tell Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge that by spreading falsehoods about the VB-G RAM G Act, they are weakening their own party, not strengthening it,” Chouhan said.

He accused the Congress of abandoning its core ideals, asserting that the new law is rooted in the principle of “nation first” and aimed at holistic village development.

Rejecting claims that the “soul” of MGNREGA had been destroyed, the minister argued that while the UPA government provided the right to work largely on paper, the NDA government ensured its effective implementation.

“As proof, the NDA has spent around Rs 9 lakh crore on rural employment, compared to about Rs 2 lakh crore during the UPA years,” he said, adding that nearly 8.5 crore of the approximately 10 crore assets created under the scheme were built during the Modi government’s tenure.

Chouhan dismissed allegations that the right to work was being taken away, calling them “completely false.”

“Earlier, there was a provision for 100 days of work. Now it has been increased to 125 days. We have also ensured payment of unemployment allowance within 15 days,” he said. “You gave rights on paper; we have strengthened them on the ground.”

Clarifying concerns that employment would be restricted to certain regions, Chouhan said the scheme would be implemented across all gram panchayats in the country.

Addressing criticism over the revised 60:40 Centre-state funding ratio, the minister said it would not impose any additional financial burden on states. “The Centre is contributing a larger share. The states’ contribution will go towards strengthening rural infrastructure,” he said.

He added that a provision of Rs 1,51,282 crore has been proposed for the upcoming financial year, with over Rs 95,600 crore to be provided by the Centre.

Responding to concerns that the demand-driven nature of rural employment would be diluted, Chouhan said the model would remain demand-driven, but with greater emphasis on productive and meaningful works identified by gram panchayats instead of ad hoc projects.

The minister said the VB-G RAM G Act would be implemented within six months, and until then, MGNREGA would continue to operate.

Activists, trade unions and opposition parties have criticised the new law, alleging that it weakens the rights-based framework of MGNREGA and centralises decision-making. They have also expressed concerns that the revised funding structure could strain state finances and limit job creation.

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have claimed that rural employment would no longer remain a legal right, but become a discretionary benefit — a charge strongly rejected by the BJP-led Centre, which maintains that the new law enhances rural employment guarantees.