MGNREGS workers protest as jobs dry up despite Centre's assurance on new Act
Nearly 12,000 Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) workers in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, have not received work for three to four months, leading to protests since January 2. Similar complaints have emerged from Dungarpur, Rajasthan, where workers were told MGNREGS had been discontinued. Despite the Union government's assurance that MGNREGS would continue until the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, is rolled out, district officials claim instructions not to start new work. Workers and activists highlight the lack of clarity and the significant impact on rural household incomes, especially for women-led households.
Key Points
- Thousands of MGNREGS workers in Bihar and Rajasthan are protesting due to a lack of work for several months, despite government assurances.
- The Union government had promised to continue MGNREGS unchanged until the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, is implemented.
- District officials reportedly claim instructions not to start new MGNREGS work, contradicting the Ministry's stance, leading to confusion and uncertainty on the ground.
- The drying up of MGNREGS jobs significantly impacts rural livelihoods, with some households relying on it for ₹25,000-₹28,000 annually.
Exam Facts
- Nearly 12,000 MGNREGS workers in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar, have not received work for 3-4 months.
- The new rural employment law is named Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025.
- Protests in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, began on January 2 and have continued for 87 days.
- Sanjay Sahni of MGNREGA Watch-Bihar and Madhulika of the Rajasthan Asangathit Mazdoor Union are quoted.
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