Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy accuses the Centre of dismantling MGNREGA to benefit big corporates, alleging the new rural jobs law pushes the poor back into migration and exploitation.

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the NDA government, alleging that the replacement of MGNREGA with the VB-G RAM G scheme was designed to supply “cheap labour” to large corporate houses.

Addressing a meeting of Congress leaders, the Chief Minister said MGNREGA had transformed rural India by curbing migration and bonded labour, while empowering workers to demand employment as a right. He claimed the new framework weakens that protection and forces the rural poor to migrate again in search of work.

Reddy alleged that the policy shift would ultimately benefit big industrial players, accusing the Centre led by Narendra Modi of prioritising corporate interests over rural welfare. He described the move as a “conspiracy” to reduce workers to dependency, drawing parallels with exploitative colonial-era practices.

The Chief Minister also questioned the government’s “Viksit Bharat” narrative, arguing that the changes risk deepening inequality rather than delivering development. He warned that Congress would oppose such laws with the same resolve seen during past mass protests against policies viewed as anti-farmer and anti-poor.

Analysis:
The remarks reflect growing political resistance to changes in rural employment policy, especially in states with large agrarian populations. For rural households, the concern centres on job security and migration pressures. How the Centre addresses these fears may shape the broader debate on inclusive growth versus corporate-led development.