New Rural Employment Bill Tabled to Replace MGNREGA; Opposition Calls It ‘Assault on Scheme’s Spirit’
VB-G RAM G Bill tabled in Lok Sabha sparks protests as Congress calls move an attack on MGNREGA’s spirit and legacy
New Delhi, Dec 16 : The Union government on Tuesday introduced a new rural employment legislation in the Lok Sabha to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The proposed Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025 was tabled by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan amid strong opposition protests.
As soon as the bill was introduced, Opposition members objected vociferously, demanding that the legislation be referred to a parliamentary committee for detailed scrutiny. The protest led to repeated disruptions in the House.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly criticised the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the rural employment law, calling it unnecessary and politically motivated. She alleged that the renaming was a precursor to weakening the core guarantee of employment under the scheme.
Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described the proposed legislation as “an assault on the spirit and philosophical foundation” of the rural employment programme, asserting that the change went beyond administrative reform.
Responding to the criticism, Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan rejected the Opposition’s allegations, stating that the government holds Mahatma Gandhi in the highest regard and follows his principles in policy-making. He argued that the Modi government has done more for rural development than previous administrations.
“Mahatma Gandhi lives in our hearts. Both Gandhiji and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya believed that the welfare of the poorest must be the top priority. Our government is working in that very spirit,” Chouhan said, countering claims that the renaming disrespects Gandhi’s legacy. He also pointed out that earlier governments had renamed schemes without similar objections.
Amid continued protests, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for lunch till 2 pm shortly after the bill was introduced. Opposition leaders later staged a protest outside Parliament, reiterating their opposition to the move.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged that the government intended to dismantle the existing employment guarantee framework, despite claims of expanding benefits.
Among key changes, the VB-G RAM G Bill proposes to increase guaranteed wage employment from 100 days to 125 days per rural household annually for adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual work.
