Thu Dec 18 18:28:17 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:

Summary:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi objecting to the “Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025,” which seeks to replace the MGNREGA. Stalin argues that while the increase in guaranteed employment days to 125 is positive, the bill’s other provisions undermine the program’s core principles, impose financial burdens on states, and erode federalism. Key concerns include shifting from a demand-driven to supply-driven allocation, changing the funding pattern to require greater state contributions, mandating pauses during agricultural seasons, excessive centralization, and removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the program. Stalin urged the Union Government not to implement the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025.

News Article:

Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Rails Against Proposed MGNREGA Replacement

CHENNAI, December 18, 2025 – A major clash between the state of Tamil Nadu and the central government is brewing over a proposed bill seeking to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has penned a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, voicing the state’s “deep concern and strong objection” to the “Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025.”

While acknowledging the positive aspect of increasing guaranteed employment days to 125, Stalin condemned the bill’s other provisions, arguing they would cripple the effectiveness of MGNREGA and place undue financial burdens on states.

“The MGNREGA has been a cornerstone of rural livelihood security,” Stalin wrote. “In Tamil Nadu, it has been implemented effectively since 2006, generating on average 30 crore person-days of employment annually and disbursing wages of approximately ₹12,000 crore per year. In 2023-24 we generated 40.87 crore person-days with wages amounting to ₹13,400 crore paid to workers” he added.

Stalin outlined several key concerns, including the shift from a demand-driven to a supply-driven allocation of funds. He argued that the bill would empower the central government to fix state-wise allocations, potentially reducing person-days and wages for workers in states like Tamil Nadu, which experiences high demand due to climatic factors.

Another major point of contention is the proposed change to the funding pattern. The bill introduces a 60:40 funding pattern (wages, materials, and administration), with states bearing a larger portion of the cost. Stalin argued that this would impose a “tremendous additional burden” on states already facing fiscal constraints.

The Chief Minister also criticized the mandated pauses in work during peak agricultural seasons, excessive centralization, and the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the program. The removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name in the programme was one of the concerns, he flagged. Renaming the scheme erases the link to Gandhiji’s vision of Gram Swaraj and decentralisation, which MGNREGA embodied.

“The proposed legislation will jeopardise the livelihoods of crores of rural poor, particularly in performing States like Tamil Nadu, and strain inter-governmental relations,” Stalin warned. He urged the Union Government to retain and strengthen MGNREGA by incorporating the increase to 125 days through amendments, after wide consultations with States. The letter highlights the potential for significant political fallout and economic hardship if the bill proceeds as currently written.

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