VB-G RAM G Bill 2025: Government Introduces Legislation to Replace MGNREGA Amid Fierce Opposition Protests

New Delhi, December 17, 2025 –VB-G RAM G Bill 2025 In a move that has sparked intense political controversy during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan introduced the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (commonly referred to as the VB-G RAM G Bill) in the Lok Sabha on December 16.

The bill seeks to repeal the iconic Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) of 2005 and establish a new framework for rural employment aligned with the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The introduction of the bill led to immediate uproar in the House, with Opposition MPs staging protests inside and outside Parliament, accusing the government of undermining rural workers’ rights and erasing Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy.Caption: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan introducing the VB-G RAM G Bill in Lok Sabha amid protests.

Key Features of the VB-G RAM G Bill 2025

The proposed legislation aims to modernize India’s flagship rural employment scheme by increasing guaranteed work days and incorporating advanced technology for better implementation. Here’s a breakdown of the major changes:

• Increased Employment Guarantee: From 100 days under MGNREGA to 125 days of wage employment per year for volunteering rural households.
• Tech Integration: Use of GIS mapping, biometric authentication, AI for planning and audits, and mobile-based monitoring to enhance transparency and efficiency.
• Project Categorization: Focus on durable assets in four priority areas – water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-linked infrastructure, and climate-resilient works.
• Funding Shift: Change to a 60:40 Centre-state split (90:10 for northeastern and Himalayan states), moving away from MGNREGA’s near-full central funding.
• Seasonal Pause: Allowance for pausing the scheme during peak agricultural seasons to ensure labor availability for farming.
• Normative Budgeting: Shift from demand-driven to supply-driven allocations based on fixed parameters.

The government describes this as a “major upgrade” to address structural weaknesses in MGNREGA while promoting empowerment, growth, and saturation in rural development.Caption: Rural workers under the existing MGNREGA scheme, which has been a lifeline for millions.

Government’s Rationale: A Step Towards Viksit Bharat 2047

Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while introducing the bill, emphasized that the new framework honors Mahatma Gandhi’s principles and aims to establish Ram Rajya. He highlighted that the Modi government has spent significantly more on rural development than previous regimes and follows Gandhian ideals.

“The bill is in accordance with the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi for the establishment of Ram Rajya,” Chouhan stated, defending the increased work days and tech-driven approach as essential for modern rural India.Supporters argue that the changes will create lasting infrastructure, reduce leakages through digital tools, and align rural employment with national goals like water conservation and climate resilience. Over the past 20 years, MGNREGA has provided crucial wage support, but the government claims socio-economic transformations necessitate this evolution.

Opposition’s Fierce Backlash: An Attack on Rights and Gandhi’s Legacy

The bill’s introduction triggered chaotic scenes in Parliament. Opposition leaders, led by Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, marched to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in the Parliament complex, holding his portraits and raising slogans against the “insult” to the Father of the Nation.

Rahul Gandhi called the bill a “direct insult to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals,” accusing the government of systematically weakening MGNREGA over the years. “Modi ji has a deep dislike for two things – the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi and the rights of the poor,” he posted on social media.Priyanka Gandhi Vadra termed it an attempt to “finish off” the revolutionary rights-based scheme, criticizing the funding shift as burdensome for states and the removal of Gandhi’s name as symbolic of centralization.Other Opposition parties, including DMK, SP, and RSP, joined the protests, demanding the bill be referred to a standing committee for scrutiny.

Caption: Opposition MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, protesting near Mahatma Gandhi’s statue against the VB-G RAM G Bill.The Congress has announced nationwide protests on December 17, with demonstrations at district headquarters featuring Gandhi’s portraits. Critics argue the bill dilutes the demand-driven nature of MGNREGA, centralizes control, and imposes financial strain on states.

Impact on Over 80 Million Rural Households

MGNREGA, enacted in 2005 and renamed in 2009 to honor Mahatma Gandhi, has been a cornerstone of rural livelihood security, providing employment to millions, especially women, during lean seasons. It played a vital role during the COVID-19 pandemic as a safety net.With over 80 million active job card holders, any changes could profoundly affect rural economies. While the promised 125 days and tech upgrades appeal to some, concerns over delayed wages (persistent under MGNREGA), seasonal pauses, and shifted funding have raised alarms.Even NDA ally TDP has expressed concerns about the increased state burden, indicating potential debates ahead.

What Lies Ahead for the VB-G RAM G Bill?

As the Winter Session continues until December 19, the bill is listed for further consideration. The government appears determined to push it through, while the Opposition vows street-to-Parliament resistance.This controversy underscores deeper divides on rural policy, federalism, and symbolic naming in Indian politics. Will the VB-G RAM G Bill mark a progressive leap or erode hard-won rights? Rural India watches closely as Parliament debates its future.