Farm workers’ unions, activists announce protest from July 1 for VB-G RAM G repeal

The NREGA Sangharsh Morcha and the Joint Platform for Agricultural and Rural Workers’ Unions announced an indefinite nationwide protest against the new "Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission" (VB-G RAM G) scheme, which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The organizations reject the government's claim that the new scheme will increase guaranteed work days, citing budgetary allocations that suggest only 42 days of work in a financial year. They demand the repeal of the VB-G RAM G and the reinstatement of MGNREGA, arguing it removes the demand-based infrastructure and lacks provisions for wage revisions. The protests will be held at the panchayat level across the country.