Congress Working Committee member Gidugu Rudra Raju sharply criticized the Union government on December 29. Speaking in Vijayawada, he said the government is attacking the core of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He claims this is playing with the lives of poor rural workers. Mr. Rudra Raju demanded that the MGNREGA continue in its original form without changes. Leaders from CPI(M) and other parties joined the event organized by the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee. He said, "The government is legally bound to provide employment under the MGNREGA, a rights and demand-driven programme." However, he argued the BJP government has turned this right into a charitable act. Earlier, people could seek work in any rural area. Now, under the new Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) or VB—G RAM G framework, jobs are limited to panchayats chosen by the Centre. Mr. Rudra Raju also pointed out that wages were earlier updated to match rising prices. But now, there is no fixed wage rate. Wages are set by the Centre for each Panchayat, which he calls harmful to workers. Earlier, the Centre paid full wages and compensated for delays. Now, the Centre funds only 60% of wages, with States covering the rest. The leaders said these changes are increasing unemployment, pushing rural people to move to cities, and hurting village livelihoods. Former Agriculture Minister Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao, CPI(M) leader Ch. Babu Rao, and Congress leaders Raghuveera Reddy and Kolanukonda Sivaji also attended the event.