The Centre has recently introduced VB-G RAM G, which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act established by the UPA-led government in 2005.
In a post on X, Soren mentioned that he expressed his apprehensions during discussions with prominent economist Jean Dreze earlier in the day.
“Interference with the essence of MGNREGA is absolutely unacceptable,” the chief minister remarked.
The JMM leader accused the Centre of modifying the MGNREGA framework, which he described as a direct assault on the rights of rural communities.
“There will be no concessions on wages, work guarantees, and state rights,” Soren asserted in the post.
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Earlier, Dreze informed reporters in Ranchi that efforts would be made to engage with the Jharkhand government and create pressure during the state assembly’s Budget session to pass a resolution opposing the VB-G RAM G Act, following the example of similar resolutions adopted by Punjab and Karnataka.
Activists and labor rights organizations in Jharkhand have also voiced their concerns regarding the new legislation, cautioning that it may exacerbate distress migration and heighten livelihood insecurity in states like Jharkhand, which have a significant population reliant on rural employment initiatives.
