The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) announced plans to escalate its protests against the Centre’s decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) or VB-G RAM G Act, 2025. Congress workers will lay siege to the Arunachal Pradesh State Assembly from February 7 to 15, following directives from the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
APCC President Bosiram Siram revealed this while addressing media at the Namsai District Congress Committee office on Monday. “We’ve launched a massive MGNREGA Bachao Sangram to reach grassroots workers and create awareness about the flaws in the new VB-G RAM G Act,” Siram declared. He slammed the renaming as a politically motivated move that weakens key provisions, hurting rural dependents.
Siram highlighted MGNREGA’s legacy under Dr Manmohan Singh’s government 20 years ago, which enshrined the constitutional Right to Work. “It generated over 180 crore workdays, built nearly 10 crore assets like village tanks and roads, empowered Panchayati Raj, and acted as a lifeline during COVID-19,” he said. Instead of bolstering it, the Centre diluted safeguards on political grounds, he alleged.
The APCC has protested since the Act’s rollout, staging strikes and dharnas in Itanagar. This outreach aims to rally statewide support against perceived dilutions affecting rural livelihoods.
Advocate AK Techi, VP, APCC, Chua Taye, GS, APCC, Gollo Nipo, Secretary, APCC, Minj Jerimoi Kring APCC East Siang In-charge were also present in the meeting.
