Modi government destroyed ‘lifeline of poor’ MGNREGA; conspired to snatch employment guarantee: Congress
The Indian National Congress party has accused the Modi government of dismantling the MGNREGA rural employment scheme to benefit crony capitalists. The party claims that the new 'Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar' initiative has failed to provide promised work, leaving the poor without a safety net.
Why it matters
This highlights a significant political conflict regarding social welfare policy and the efficacy of government poverty alleviation programs in India.
The Congress on Tuesday (September 1, 2026) accused the Modi government of destroying the "lifeline" of the country's poor, MGNREGA, and claimed that its real policy is to fill the coffers of crony capitalists by snatching the last morsel of bread from the poor.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared a media report on X, which claimed that the job card holders in Ballia district are becoming disillusioned with the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), a trend clearly reflected in departmental statistics.
"The Modi government has destroyed the lifeline of the country's poor, MGNREGA, in the name of 'VB G RAM G'. The BJP made grand speeches in Parliament, but on the ground, all those claims are proving to be empty hot air," Mr. Ramesh said in his post in Hindi on X.
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