Congress accuses BJP of weakening Gram Sabha role under new rural employment law

Congress general secretary Avinash Pande on Sunday accused the BJP-led Centre of weakening grassroots democracy by diluting the role of Gram Sabhas in the new rural employment legislation, the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB G RAM G) Act , which has replaced the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) .

Addressing party workers here, Pande said the Gram Sabha was the “soul” of MGNREGA , a law that institutionalised decentralised decision-making and strengthened the Panchayati Raj system. Under MGNREGA, he said, selection of works, prioritisation of tasks, approval of labour demand and monitoring of labourers were all within the domain of the Gram Sabha, enabling villagers to directly shape development according to local needs.

“MGNREGA empowered Gram Sabhas to conduct social audits, check corruption and ensure transparency and accountability. This system operationalised the spirit of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment by giving real authority to village institutions,” Pande said.

He alleged that the new VB G RAM G Act has centralised these powers , shifting decision-making to central portals, uniform guidelines and ministries , thereby reducing the Gram Sabha to a “mere formal institution”. According to him, such centralisation weakens decentralisation, erodes democratic participation at the village level and undermines the Panchayati Raj framework, which is based on local self-governance.

Pande’s remarks came a day after the Congress announced a nationwide campaign from January 5 against the repeal of MGNREGA. Party leader Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “single-handedly destroying” the legislation, warning that the move would damage the democratic structure and ruin the rural economy .

Earlier, on the occasion of the Congress’ 140th Foundation Day , Pande and Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai paid floral tributes at the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi at the party office premises.