CHANDIGARH, Dec 30: A special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha convened Monday to debate proposed changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, with the state government preparing to move a resolution urging the Centre to retain the scheme’s demand-driven and fully funded structure.
The resolution seeks reconsideration of the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, or VB G RAM G, arguing that it shifts financial responsibility to states and weakens rural workers’ right to employment. The government plans to formally recommend that the Centre roll back provisions it says undermine the original intent of MGNREGA.
“The Centre’s new framework places an undue financial burden on states and erodes the guaranteed nature of rural employment,” a senior government functionary said ahead of the debate.
The session is expected to be contentious, with AAP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal legislators criticising the BJP over the amended law, while BJP members have demanded a separate discussion on Punjab’s law-and-order situation.
Apart from the MGNREGA resolution, the government is scheduled to introduce three Bills during the session — the Punjab Abadi Deh (Record of Rights) Amendment Bill, the Indian Stamp (Punjab Second Amendment) Bill and the Punjab Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Adding to the day’s proceedings, 10-year-old Shavan Singh of Ferozepur, a recipient of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, arrived at the Assembly. Shavan gained national recognition for voluntarily delivering water, milk, tea and lassi to Army personnel near the border during Operation Sindoor, despite the risks posed by the ongoing conflict.
Outside the House, Cabinet Minister Aman Arora told reporters that Punjab would “firmly place the concerns of rural workers before the Centre” and push for safeguards that protect employment guarantees.
