Speaking on Saturday, Stalin accused the Centre of deliberately removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from MGNREGA. Moreover, he alleged that the government plans to replace the demand-driven scheme with a discretionary rural jobs programme controlled by budget allocations.

According to Stalin, MGNREGA guarantees employment as a legal right. Therefore, he said any shift away from this framework undermines rural livelihoods and constitutional values. He argued that the proposed model allows the Centre to decide funding at will, which could leave States helpless.

The Chief Minister said Tamil Nadu has consistently implemented MGNREGA effectively. As a result, millions of rural families depend on it for income security. He warned that reducing the scheme’s scope would increase rural distress and migration.

Stalin also accused the Centre of erasing the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi by removing his name from welfare programmes. He said such actions weaken the moral foundation of social justice policies.

Meanwhile, the DMK government has decided to fight the proposed changes politically and legally. Stalin said States must unite to protect workers’ rights and federal principles.

Finally, he assured rural workers that Tamil Nadu will continue to safeguard employment guarantees. He said the State will resist any attempt to dilute MGNREGA’s core principles.

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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the decision on December 18, 2025, during a business conclave in Kolkata. She criticised the Centre for removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the national rural employment programme. She said the move disrespected the Father of the Nation and hurt national values.

The Karmashree scheme was introduced in the 2024–25 State Budget. It promised 50 days of wage employment each year for rural unskilled workers holding MGNREGA job cards. However, farm unions have claimed that workers have not seen benefits on the ground.

Central funding for MGNREGA in West Bengal has remained suspended since April 2022. The Centre cited corruption in scheme implementation as the reason. Earlier this year, both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court ordered the resumption of the 100-day work scheme. Despite these directions, workers continue to wait for employment and pending wages.

The renaming signals a political and symbolic stand by the State amid ongoing disputes over rural employment rights.

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