Ranchi, March 18 CPI(ML) leader and general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya alleged on Wednesday that the Centre has weakened the job prospects of people through the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-GRAM-G, and said his party would launch a nationwide movement against what he termed as an "attack on livelihoods".
Addressing a "public hearing" against the central government here, Bhattacharya asserted that the MGNREGA, which was replaced by the VB-GRAM-G, was a "lifeline" for the rural poor, and that any move to undermine it amounted to a direct attack on the rural economy.
The BJP-led Centre enacted the VB-GRAM-G in December last year, while the MGNREGA was passed by the Congress-headed UPA government in 2005.
The top leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation alleged that instead of expanding employment opportunities, the new VB-GRAM-G initiative would curtail them.
"This is not merely a question of employment; it concerns social justice, equality, and constitutional rights," he said.
The Left leader also announced that his party would launch a nationwide mass movement against what he termed as attacks on livelihoods and to raise people's concerns.
Regarding neighbouring West Bengal, where his party contests in 10 seats in the assembly election, he claimed that polls there are being conducted amid concerns over the citizenship rights of nearly 60 crore people due to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
"Allegations are being leveled against the BJP-led Central government and the Election Commission that they are attempting to form a government in Bengal by stealing votes," Bhattacharya said.
He appealed to students and youth of Jharkhand to join a nationwide campaign for the implementation of UGC 'Samata' (Equality) Regulations in educational institutions.
A row erupted after the UGC notified the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, on January 13, making it mandatory for all higher education institutions affiliated to it to constitute equity committees comprising members from OBC, SC and ST communities to address complaints of discrimination and promote inclusion.
The move drew backlash from several quarters, with many claiming the regulations could be misused to foment caste-based discontent and vitiate the academic environment.
Bhattacharya also criticised the central government’s stance on the ongoing conflict involving Iran, alleging that New Delhi’s response was inadequate.
Issues such as inflation, unemployment, and wage crisis were highlighted in a "charge sheet" against the Centre which was presented at the public hearing.
