3 Things Repealing MGNREGA, curbing pollution, and Homebound shortlisted
7 snips
Dec 18, 2025 Udit Misra, an economy reporter, dives into the proposed Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar, reshaping rural employment by potentially repealing MGNREGA. He discusses significant changes like increased guaranteed days but warns of fiscal pressures on states. Sophiya Mathew, an environment reporter, tackles Delhi's pollution crisis, explaining the ban on non-BS6 vehicles to combat harmful emissions. She highlights the need for better scrappage policies and clean transit solutions. Lastly, the film Homebound, a poignant tale of migrant workers, is unveiled as a Best International Feature contender for the Oscars.
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From Rights To Budgeted Supply
- The proposed Bharat Guarantee for Rojgar shifts MGNREGA from a demand-led right to a supply-led, budget-capped program.
- That change risks leaving many rural households without work if central allocations fall short and states cannot fill gaps.
Fiscal Burden Moves To States
- Center–state fund sharing shifts fiscal burden to states (60:40 for most states).
- Given India's centralized finances, poorer states may struggle to fund shortfalls, worsening regional inequities.
Pausing Work Lowers Rural Wage Floor
- Pausing guaranteed work during peak agricultural season removes a wage floor and lets rural wages fall sharply.
- That will lower agricultural costs and inflation but harm the poorest landless labourers who lose income protection.