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VB-GRAMG Act consultation process a 'farce': NREGA Sangharsh Morcha

By A Representative 
The NREGA Sangharsh Morcha (NSM), a national platform of workers' organisations and activists associated with rural employment rights, has strongly opposed the introduction and proposed implementation of the VB-GRAMG Act, demanding an immediate halt to its rollout and a comprehensive consultation process involving workers and civil society groups.
In a press statement, the organisation criticized both the manner in which the legislation was enacted and the ongoing process of framing its rules. According to NSM, the VB-GRAMG Bill was "rushed through both Houses of Parliament in under a week," leaving no meaningful opportunity for NREGA workers, unions, or civil society organisations to participate in discussions on a law that would significantly impact rural workers across the country.
The group also questioned the credibility of the public consultation process for the draft rules of the Act. The draft rules were released on May 23, 2026, with comments invited until June 21. However, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has already announced that the new framework will come into force from July 1.
Calling the consultation exercise a "farce," NSM alleged that the Ministry has shown no intention of seriously considering public feedback before implementation.
"The consultation is plainly a farce; the Ministry has no intention of meaningfully engaging with public recommendations," the statement said.
The organisation urged the government to suspend implementation immediately and conduct proper consultations with worker representatives and civil society stakeholders. It cited recent examples of more extensive stakeholder engagement by government ministries, including consultations undertaken by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology during the formulation of rules under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act.
NSM argued that the draft rules had been prepared through an opaque process and that stakeholders had been given insufficient time to study and respond to the proposals.
Describing NREGA as "a people's Act" born out of years of worker struggles and grassroots mobilisation, the organisation claimed that its replacement by the VB-GRAMG framework represented "a direct assault on worker rights."
The statement further alleged that the draft rules retained several controversial features that workers' organisations have opposed for years, particularly the compulsory use of technology-linked systems and what it termed "abysmally low wage rates."
According to NSM, the draft rules reinforce concerns that the government has failed to address long-standing demands raised by rural workers. "The draft rules make abundantly clear what worker unions have asserted for years: that the Modi Government has no concern for workers' interests," the organisation said.
The Morcha also expressed concern about the current state of employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), alleging that implementation has already suffered significant disruptions despite official assurances that the programme would continue smoothly until the transition to VB-GRAMG.
Citing Ministry data, NSM claimed that employment generated under NREGA in April 2026 was 57 per cent lower than in April 2025.
The organisation warned that proceeding with implementation without meaningful consultation would create confusion and hardship for millions of rural workers and their families.
Among its key demands, NSM called for the immediate and unconditional suspension of the VB-GRAMG rollout, the establishment of a fair and transparent consultation process with adequate participation from workers' representatives and civil society organisations, and a revision of the draft rules to address concerns related to technology-driven implementation mechanisms and wage rates.
"Proceeding without a legitimate consultation process will inevitably lead to chaos and cause further irreparable harm to workers and their families," the statement said, adding that the organisation would hold the government accountable for the consequences of any hurried implementation.

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