The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee has announced a statewide “Lok Bhavan Abhiyan” on February 17, alleging that the Centre is attempting to sideline the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Addressing a press conference on Friday, TPCC president Asish Kumar Saha claimed that the Union Government has effectively replaced MGNREGA with a new initiative referred to as VB GRAMG. According to him, the proposed scheme offers 125 days of work under a different framework, which he described as a “jumla” aimed at confusing rural beneficiaries.

Saha argued that removing or diluting a programme named after Mahatma Gandhi undermines a landmark rural employment guarantee that has provided livelihood support to millions. He alleged that the new initiative is an attempt to rebrand or restructure the scheme without adequately safeguarding workers’ interests.

In response, the state Congress unit will organise the February 17 protest as part of a broader nationwide campaign seeking the continuation and strengthening of MGNREGA. The party stated that similar demonstrations have already taken place in other states.

In Tripura, Congress leaders, grassroots workers, and MGNREGA beneficiaries from different panchayats are expected to take part in the rally. Saha appealed to party members and the general public to participate in large numbers to defend what he described as a crucial lifeline for rural households.

The Congress has consistently maintained that MGNREGA plays a vital role in ensuring livelihood security in rural areas and has expressed concern over any move that could weaken its implementation.