NDA, Opposition Clash Over Proposal to Replace MGNREGA with Viksit Bharat G RAM G Bill
Ruling alliance says new law expands rural employment to 125 days, while Opposition calls it an attack on the ‘right to work’ and demands deeper scrutiny
New Delhi, Dec 18 : The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Thursday strongly defended the Viksit Bharat G RAM G Bill, asserting that the proposed law would expand rural employment opportunities, even as the Opposition intensified its attack on the Centre for replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme.
Opposition MPs staged a protest outside Parliament, holding placards and raising slogans against the government over the introduction of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, which seeks to replace the UPA-era MGNREGA.
NDA says Bill expands employment guarantee
Defending the legislation, BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal said the Bill would widen the scope of employment by integrating both Rozgar and Ajeevika missions and increasing the guaranteed number of workdays.
“Earlier, the Ajeevika Mission was not part of MGNREGA. Now both Rozgar and Ajeevika Missions are included, ensuring 125 days of work. Anyone seeking daily wage employment will benefit. This is a commendable Bill that creates fixed assets and benefits everyone,” Jaiswal told IANS.
NDA allies also backed the move. Uttar Pradesh Minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief O.P. Rajbhar said renaming a scheme does not diminish Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy. “Gandhiji is respected worldwide. What matters is that workers get more days of employment and better wages. A 125-day guarantee is a positive step,” he said.
JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar echoed similar views, arguing that the Opposition was diverting attention from the Bill’s core objective. “The key issue is the 125-day guarantee. Workers are not objecting to this. The Opposition has shifted the focus unnecessarily,” he said.
Opposition alleges dilution of rights
Opposition leaders, however, accused the Centre of weakening the rights-based nature of rural employment.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the move was not merely about a name change. “MGNREGA is about the right to work. By ending its demand-driven character, the government will deny work and then claim there is no demand. This is an attack on the poor, backward classes and Dalits,” he said.
Congress MP Imran Masood alleged that the scheme introduced under Sonia Gandhi had been “ruined,” while Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticised the Bill for being rushed without adequate scrutiny. She also objected to what she described as an unfair shift of the financial burden to state governments and demanded that the Bill be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
Gandhi’s name at centre of political row
The Congress maintained that the controversy stemmed from removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme. Congress leader Rakesh Sinha claimed that even some NDA allies were uneasy with the change.
“This country belongs to Gandhi. You cannot erase his name and ideals. MGNREGA was closely linked to his philosophy. This Bill must be sent to a JPC, and the Opposition will continue its nationwide protest,” he said.
As the debate intensifies, the Viksit Bharat G RAM G Bill has emerged as a flashpoint between the ruling alliance and the Opposition, pitting claims of expanded employment against allegations of diluted rights and symbolic erasure.
