Hyderabad, January 2: Telangana Assembly has passed a resolution to continue the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in its current form, opposing the newly introduced Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act (VB G RAM G). Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy presented the resolution, which was unanimously passed. The resolution criticizes the new law for being detrimental to the poor, particularly women laborers, and for undermining federal rights.

MGNREGS, implemented in 2005, provides 100 days of guaranteed employment for rural households, benefiting marginalized communities. The resolution claims the new law threatens these rights, particularly for women and vulnerable groups. It also opposes the shift in the funding ratio from 100% central funding to 60% state funding, which would place an additional financial burden on states.

The resolution further argues that removing labor-intensive work like land development harms small farmers, Dalits, and tribals. It also objects to the mandatory 60-day break during the agricultural season, which it deems unfair to landless laborers. The Assembly calls for the restoration of the old funding model and the continuation of MGNREGS as originally intended.