Hyderabad, Jan. 21 -- Congress Senior leader V Hanumantha Rao, on Wednesday, backed the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the Centre's decision to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Rao alleged that the new act to ensure livelihoods has not just received a name change but was aimed at benefiting big industrialists while punishing poor people with hunger and unemployment.

Speaking to ANI, Rao said the introduction of the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G-Ram-G) act in place of MGNREGA reflected the government's intention to weaken food security and day-to-day livelihood support for rural people.

"By repealing MGNREGA and introduc...