Originally introduced as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in 2005 and later renamed, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was aimed at enhancing livelihood security. It provided a legal right to wage employment of at least 100 days per rural household per year, aimed at enhancing livelihood security.
In this episode of the discussion series on the state of the nation, author and activist Harsh Mander speak to activists Aruna Roy, Ashish Ranjan, and James Herenj about the significant transition from the long-standing MGNREGA to the newly enacted Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), commonly referred to as VB-GRAMG.
They discuss what major changes have been introduced under VB-GRAMG, what MGNREGA achieved over its two decades of implementation and why the government chose to replace this landmark rights-based law.
They delve into how these changes are likely to affect rural workers and communities, including debates over funding patterns.
The episode also explores the growing responses and protests from various groups opposed to the new law, who argue that repealing MGNREGA undermines the legal right to work and could increase rural distress and migration.
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