Tripura Congress MLA and former minister Sudip Roy Barman has strongly opposed the Centre’s decision to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as the G RAM G Bill, claiming that the move undermines workers’ rights and could negatively impact the rural economy.

Leading a protest rally in Agartala on Sunday, Roy Barman said the change in legislation effectively repeals MGNREGA and replaces it with a law that, in his view, strips laborers of their entitlements.

“On January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in Delhi. Today, with the repeal of MGNREGA and the introduction of this new law, it feels as though the principles of Gandhiji are being attacked once again,” he said. “We are not concerned about the renaming itself—Gandhiji’s legacy lives on in the hearts of the people—but we are deeply worried about the loss of workers’ rights.”

Roy Barman criticized the central government for reducing the share of funds allocated to MGNREGA by 60%, leaving states to bear 40% of the costs—a significant increase from the previous 10% state contribution. He also dismissed claims that raising the mandays from 100 to 125 would benefit workers.

“The Congress had proposed 200 mandays and a minimum wage of Rs 500. Instead, the government has dismantled the existing law and replaced it with VVGRAMG, which strips workers of their rights and threatens the livelihood of rural communities,” he said.

The MLA urged citizens to oppose the changes through public demonstrations, warning that the new legislation could have serious consequences for rural India’s economy.