All India Agricultural Workers’ Union (AIAWU) has strongly opposed the Central government’s notification implementing the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-GRAM(G), claiming the new scheme will weaken the rural employment guarantee system established under MGNREGA.
In a statement, the union alleged that the Centre is attempting to replace the country’s only nationwide demand-driven employment programme with a scheme that offers weaker guarantees and greater financial burden on state governments. According to AIAWU, the government’s promise of 125 days of employment lacks credibility when the existing MGNREGA system itself has failed to provide even 55 days of work on average in many areas.
The union criticised the use of technologies such as facial recognition attendance and direct bank transfer-linked systems, claiming they have led to exclusion of genuine workers instead of curbing corruption. It also raised concerns over delayed wage payments and alleged that suspension of work for nearly two months in some regions had weakened the bargaining power of agricultural labourers.
AIAWU said the Centre has, for the first time, clearly indicated that states will have to contribute nearly 40% of the scheme’s expenditure. The organisation argued that many financially stressed states may struggle to provide adequate employment under the new arrangement, resulting in fewer workdays for rural workers.
Citing data from LibTech India, the union pointed to a sharp decline in MGNREGA employment indicators in Andhra Pradesh, including a 57.6% fall in households completing 100 days of work.
The organisation also referred to the latest NCRB data showing more than 10,500 suicides in the farming sector in 2024, including agricultural labourers, saying the weakening of rural employment support could worsen rural distress.
AIAWU demanded withdrawal of VB-GRAM(G), restoration of a strengthened MGNREGA with 200 days of guaranteed work and daily wages of Rs 700 indexed to inflation. The union has called for a nationwide strike by agricultural and rural workers on May 15.