Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 29 December 2025
The Andaman & Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC) organised a public meeting at Ward No. 3, Phoenix Bay, on December 27, 2025, to oppose the recently enacted Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G Act). The legislation, passed by Parliament in mid-December, replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
ANTCC leaders expressed concerns over the implications of the new Act on rural employment and social welfare. According to the party, MGNREGA had played an important role in providing employment support to poor and marginalised sections, and its replacement has led to political debate in various parts of the country.
Senior party figures who participated in the meeting included AICC Member Mr. Hamid Ali, ANTCC Treasurer Mr. Abdul Shabir, Mahila Congress President Mrs. Zubaida Begum, Youth Congress Vice-President Mr. M. A. Sajid, City Congress General Secretaries Mr. Raj Reddy, Mr. C. Ravi and Mr. Sadab Riaz, RGPRS Chairman Mr. O. Bashir, OBC Chairman Mr. R. K. Raj, Mahila Congress leader Ms. Sheela, and Seva Dal Joint Secretary Mr. Akshay Kumar, along with local residents.
Addressing the gathering, ANTCC President Mr. Rangalal Halder and other leaders criticised the central government’s decision to replace MGNREGA with the new rural employment framework. They reiterated the Congress party’s position on the need to protect employment-related welfare measures and appealed to citizens to express their views through democratic means.
The public meeting was organised by City Congress President Mr. Mohd Zubair with the support of local party workers in the Phoenix Bay area.
