By TC News Desk
Agartala, 17th February 2026: Rural workers and underprivileged communities in Tripura voiced strong opposition to the new VBGRAMG Act during a massive protest organized by the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) on Tuesday, demanding the immediate reinstatement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA).
The ‘Lok Bhawan Abhiyan’ rally in Agartala saw large participation from the poor and working-class sections of the state, highlighting widespread concern over the Centre’s move to scrap MNREGA in favor of VBGRAMG.
Addressing the crowd, TPCC President Asish Kumar Saha said, “MNREGA has been the cornerstone of rural development and livelihood security in Tripura. It guarantees 100 days of wage employment every year for rural households, strengthens Panchayati Raj institutions, and empowers working-class families.”
He argued that the newly introduced VBGRAMG Act undermines the socio-economic rights of rural citizens. “This scheme allows the government to dictate which panchayats will function and set wage rates. It prioritizes corporate interests over the welfare of the poor. It is a direct attack on the democratic and economic rights of our people,” Saha said.
The TPCC also pointed to public disapproval during the recent visit of Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, asserting that the people of Tripura have consistently rejected the VBGRAMG initiative.
“This protest is a clear message from the people: MNREGA is essential for rural livelihoods and sustainable development in Tripura. We will continue to demand its reinstatement and ensure that the voices of the poor are heard,” Saha added.
The demonstration underlines growing political and social resistance in the state against policies perceived as weakening rural welfare programs, reinforcing MNREGA’s central role in supporting the livelihoods of Tripura’s working-class communities.
