The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, also known as the VB-G RAM G Bill, amidst significant opposition. The bill, intended to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) of 2005, sparked heated debates and protests, primarily due to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme.
The VB-G RAM G Bill aims to align rural employment policy with the government's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. A key feature of the new bill is the increase in guaranteed wage employment to 125 days per rural household per financial year, compared to the 100 days mandated by MGNREGA. This guarantee applies to households where adult members volunteer for unskilled manual labor. Wages are to be paid weekly or within a fortnight after work completion. The bill also introduces a 60-day pause in public works during peak sowing and harvesting seasons.
During the session, Opposition MPs protested the replacement of MGNREGA and the removal of Gandhi's name, holding placards and raising slogans. Some members tore copies of the bill and threw them towards the Speaker's chair, leading to repeated appeals for order. The House was eventually adjourned after the bill's passage.
Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan defended the bill, asserting it upholds Mahatma Gandhi's ideals and aligns with the government's 'Pancha Prana'. He stated the legislation would lead to comprehensive village development by providing employment, upholding the dignity of the poor, and offering additional protection to vulnerable groups. Chouhan also addressed concerns about the 60:40 Centre-state funding ratio, stating that the Centre previously fully funded MGNREGA.
The VB-G RAM G Bill shifts the focus to creating durable rural assets like water infrastructure and roads. It introduces enhanced monitoring mechanisms, including digital attendance systems, biometric authentication, geo-tagging of assets, GPS- and mobile-based monitoring, real-time management information system dashboards, and periodic social audits. The bill retains the provision for a mandatory unemployment allowance, payable by states if employment isn't provided in time.
Panchayati Raj Institutions will remain responsible for planning and implementation, supported by district program coordinators and program officers. The bill establishes a clear institutional framework for coordinated and transparent implementation at all levels. Central and State Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Councils will provide policy guidance and review implementation.
The bill has faced criticism from opposition leaders, who argue it dilutes the right to work and places a greater financial burden on states. Concerns have been raised about the feasibility and federal implications of the new funding model. Some have vowed to strongly oppose the bill, asserting it will dismantle the rural employment guarantee scheme. The bill will now be taken up in the Rajya Sabha.
