New Delhi – The Modi government has taken a big step that many see as the end of MGNREGA, the rural job scheme that has helped millions of poor families for 20 years. Today, in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan introduced the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, also called VB-G RAM G Bill. This new bill will replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) completely.
Opposition MPs made a lot of noise and protested strongly. They say removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name is an insult to the Father of the Nation, and the changes will weaken the rights of rural workers. The House saw chaos, with MPs shouting slogans and holding placards. Many opposition leaders walked out after the bill was tabled.
What the New Bill Says
The government says the new bill is a big improvement. It promises 125 days of work per year for rural families, up from 100 days in MGNREGA. It focuses on building better infrastructure like water projects, roads, and climate-resistant works. All assets will go into a national stack for better planning.
Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said MGNREGA served well for 20 years, but now needs strengthening for Viksit Bharat 2047 goals. He added that Mahatma Gandhi lives in our hearts, and the new scheme will help establish ‘Ram Rajya’ in villages.
But critics point out big problems. The old MGNREGA was demand-driven – if more people wanted work, the Centre had to provide it without budget limits. The new bill makes it supply-driven, with the Centre fixing yearly allocations for each state. This means if demand rises, work might not be guaranteed.
Funding will be shared between Centre and states, putting more burden on states. The scheme may not be universal – Centre can choose areas. Planning will be more centralised, with less power to local panchayats.
Why Opposition Calls It the End of MGNREGA
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led the protests. She said, “The Father of the Nation should not be insulted. It seems they are changing the name only to scrap the 100-day guarantee completely.” She demanded the bill be sent to a standing committee and withdrawn.
Rahul Gandhi called it an insult to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals. He said, “Modi ji hates two things – Gandhi’s ideas and rights of the poor. MGNREGA is Gandhi’s dream of Gram Swaraj. This bill will destroy the livelihood of rural poor.”
Other leaders like Mahua Moitra from TMC and Ashok Gehlot said it shows the government’s petty mindset. They fear it will dismantle the rights-based guarantee that made MGNREGA a lifeline during crises like COVID.
Many say the government has been cutting MGNREGA funds for years, delaying wages, and now this bill centralises control and reduces the legal right to work.
Background of MGNREGA and Why It Matters
MGNREGA was started in 2005 by the UPA government. It gave legal right to 100 days of work to rural households, at minimum wages. It helped women a lot, created assets like ponds and roads, and acted as safety net in bad times.
Over years, it employed crores of people, especially in poor states. But the Modi government often called it a failure symbol. Funds were sometimes low, and delays in payments happened.
Now, with this bill, opposition says the government is finally finishing it off by removing Gandhi’s name and weakening protections.
Rural workers depend on it for survival.
What Happens Next
The bill was introduced amid huge protests, and the House was adjourned. Opposition wants it scrapped or sent for review. Government says it’s for better rural development.
This has become a big political fight in the Winter Session. Many fear poor villagers will suffer if the strong guarantees are gone.
Statements from Leaders
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra: “They want to end the scheme in the name of change. Mahatma Gandhi is our Father of the Nation – no insult will be tolerated.”
- Rahul Gandhi: “This attacks Gandhi’s Gram Swaraj dream and poor people’s rights.”
- Shivraj Singh Chouhan: “Mahatma Gandhi ji lives in our hearts. This bill will bring Ram Rajya to villages.”
- Congress party: “The bill attacks the soul of rights-based work. It’s destroying MGNREGA systematically.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the VB-G RAM G Bill?
It is a new law to replace MGNREGA. It promises 125 days work but changes rules to make it more centralised and budget-fixed.
2. Why is removing Gandhi’s name a big issue?
MGNREGA carried Mahatma Gandhi’s name to honour his village self-rule idea. Opposition says dropping it insults him and hides the plan to weaken the scheme.
3. Will rural people get more work now?
The bill says 125 days, but critics say fixed budgets mean less work if demand is high. Old law had no such limit.
4. Is MGNREGA really ending?
Yes, the bill repeals the old Act fully. New scheme will start instead.
5. Why does opposition say it’s finishing off MGNREGA?
Because it removes demand-driven right, shares costs with states (burdening them), and centralises power, making it less of a guarantee.
6. What does government say?
It’s a modern upgrade for Viksit Bharat, with better assets, tech, and more days.
7. How will it affect poor families?
If passed as is, work may not be available when needed most, and states may struggle to fund.
This story is developing fast. Rural India watches closely as Parliament decides the future of their job safety net.