Left parties and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) have announced statewide protests on December 23 to condemn the Central Government’s move to dismantle the 100-day work guarantee scheme, originally provided under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).In a joint statement, leaders of the Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), CPI (ML) Liberation and VCK said the proposed replacement of the rural employment programme with the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (VBGRAMG) would adversely affect millions of rural workers and their families across the country.
They argued that the original 100-day employment guarantee had been a cornerstone initiative for rural development since its enactment in 2005 and had played a significant role in providing assured work and income to vulnerable communities.
The protesters claim that the new scheme not only alters the fundamental guarantees of the programme but also transfers greater financial burden onto the States, undermining its effectiveness and threatening the livelihoods of millions who depend on it.
The planned demonstrations will be held at district headquarters, taluk centres and union headquarters across Tamil Nadu, calling on the Union government to reconsider the changes and preserve the 100-day rural employment guarantee.