Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has sharply criticised the Central government over what she described as the steady dismantling of rights-based legislation, with a particular focus on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

In a recent opinion article published in a leading English daily, Sonia Gandhi argued that MGNREGA was envisioned as more than a welfare measure. She said the rural employment scheme gave legal backing to the constitutional right to work and was rooted in Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of Sarvodaya, or welfare for all.

Calling its weakening a serious failure, she wrote that the decline of MGNREGA represents a “collective moral failure” that will have lasting financial and human consequences for crores of working people across India. She stressed that safeguarding such rights-based frameworks is crucial at a time when, according to her, multiple protections are under strain.

Concerns raised over education, environment and land laws

Sonia Gandhi also flagged concerns beyond rural employment. Referring to education policy, she claimed that the Right to Education has been undermined following the National Education Policy 2020, alleging that it has led to the closure of around one lakh primary schools across the country.

On environmental and land-related legislation, she stated that the Forest Rights Act, 2006, was weakened through the Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022. According to her, these changes removed the role of the gram sabha in decisions related to the diversion of forest land.

She further alleged that the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act has been significantly diluted, while adding that the National Green Tribunal has seen its authority reduced over the years.

Warning on agriculture and food security laws

Touching upon agriculture reforms, Sonia Gandhi referred to the now-repealed three farm laws, claiming they were an attempt to deny farmers the right to a minimum support price. She also cautioned that the National Food Security Act, 2013, could face similar threats in the future.

Reiterating her central argument, she urged unity to protect statutory rights, stating that the erosion of such laws has implications that extend well beyond policy, affecting livelihoods and dignity on the ground.

Hundreds of Indian professionals holding H-1B visas are facing unexpected uncertainty after travelling to India for routine visa renewals, only to find their US consular interviews postponed to next year due to a new social media vetting policy introduced by the US administration

Many of these workers had scheduled appointments between December 15 and 26, a window that coincided with the US holiday season. However, interviews planned for mid to late December have now reportedly been pushed to as late as March, leaving employees unable to return to their jobs in the United States.

Appointments postponed without clarity

Immigration law firms say they are dealing with a large number of affected clients. Some attorneys have described the situation as unprecedented, highlighting the lack of clarity around how long the delays may last. Workers who travelled for personal reasons, including family events, now face the risk of prolonged stays in India while their employment continues overseas.

In one reported case, a US-based professional who returned to India this month had two consular appointments scheduled in December, both of which have since expired. Experts have raised concerns over how long US employers may be willing to wait for employees whose return timelines remain uncertain.

US embassy advisory and vetting policy

Earlier this month, the US Embassy in India issued an advisory stating that applicants who arrive at a consulate on a previously scheduled interview date, after being informed of a reschedule, will not be allowed entry. Applicants have been asked to wait for their new appointment dates.

According to official communication, the delays are linked to enhanced social media screening. The policy requires visa applicants to keep their social media profiles public so authorities can assess whether any applicant poses a risk to national security or public safety. While such scrutiny earlier applied to students and exchange visitors, it has now been extended to H-1B and dependent H-4 visa applicants.

Impact on Indian professionals and tech firms

India accounts for nearly three-fourths of all H-1B visa holders, according to data released earlier this year by US immigration authorities. The current delays therefore have a disproportionate impact on Indian professionals working in the US technology and services sectors.

Some US-based technology companies have reportedly cautioned employees against international travel after learning that visa re-entry processing delays at American embassies and consulates could stretch for several months. Legal advisers have warned that overseas travel at this stage could result in extended stays outside the US.

Growing scrutiny of the H-1B programme

The social media vetting requirement is part of a broader tightening of the H-1B programme under the Donald Trump administration. The skilled worker visa pathway has faced increased scrutiny in recent months, including the imposition of a one-time fee on new H-1B visas. The US has also paused certain immigration applications from select countries following security-related concerns.

For now, affected workers and their employers are left waiting, as uncertainty continues over when regular visa processing timelines will resume.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the new terminal building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati today, marking a major milestone for aviation infrastructure in the Northeast. Built at an estimated cost of around Rs 4,000 crore, the facility is being projected as the largest airport terminal in the region and a key boost to connectivity, tourism and economic activity in Assam.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Guwahati around 3 pm as part of his two-day visit to the state.

Northeast’s largest airport terminal takes shape in Guwahati

The newly constructed terminal is nearly seven times larger than the existing one and has been designed to cater to the region’s rapidly growing air traffic. Once fully operational, it is expected to handle up to 13.1 million passengers annually by 2032.

Officials said the terminal is planned as a regional connectivity hub, with a focus on strengthening air links between India and Southeast Asia. The airport will be capable of handling up to 34 air traffic movements per hour, the highest capacity among airports in the Northeast. The facility will also be equipped with one of the most advanced Instrument Landing Systems to support safer and more efficient operations.

Nature-inspired design rooted in Assam’s identity

What sets the Guwahati terminal apart is its distinctive nature-themed architecture. Conceptualised under the theme “Bamboo Orchids”, it is being described as India’s first airport terminal inspired entirely by natural and cultural elements.

The interiors draw from the landscapes of Northeast India, with design elements reflecting indigenous orchids, locally known as Kopou Phool, and the flow of the Brahmaputra river. The terminal incorporates more than 2,000 species of plants, includes a dedicated zone inspired by Kaziranga National Park, and features artefacts representing Majuli Island.

A key architectural highlight is the expansive bamboo vault, created using around 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced bamboo. The space has been envisioned as a multifunctional cultural centre aimed at encouraging community interaction and showcasing the region’s heritage. Design elements such as japi motifs, the iconic rhino symbol and 57 orchid-inspired columns further reinforce the cultural narrative.

Arriving passengers will also experience a unique “Sky Forest”, featuring nearly one lakh plants of indigenous species, designed to create an immersive forest-like ambience within the terminal.

Focus on digital integration and passenger convenience

Spread over nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, the integrated new terminal has been designed to handle around 1.3 crore passengers annually. It is supported by significant upgrades to the runway, airfield systems, aprons and taxiways.

The terminal places strong emphasis on digital integration, with 14 entry points, including four DigiYatra gates, aimed at easing passenger movement. Facilities such as full-body scanners for non-intrusive security checks, automated baggage handling systems, fast-track immigration and AI-driven airport operations have been incorporated to ensure smoother travel experiences.

Other engagements during PM Modi’s Assam visit

During his two-day stay, the Prime Minister will also lay foundation stones for multiple development projects and address public gatherings. He is scheduled to visit the Swahid Smarak Kshetra to pay tribute to the martyrs of the historic Assam Movement.

Later in the day, PM Modi will perform the bhoomipujan for a new brownfield Ammonia-Urea Fertiliser Project at Namrup in Dibrugarh district, within the existing premises of the Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation Limited.