Parliament Clears VB-G Ram G Bill

Parliament has cleared the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, with the Rajya Sabha passing the legislation hours after its approval in the Lok Sabha. The Bill was enacted amid intense opposition protests, marking a significant shift in India’s rural employment framework by replacing the existing MGNREGA structure with a revamped model.

Swift Passage In Both Houses Of Parliament

The Lok Sabha approved the Bill following an extended debate, after which the Rajya Sabha cleared it within hours. Opposition parties repeatedly demanded that the legislation be referred to a parliamentary standing committee for detailed scrutiny, but the government rejected these requests. Protests escalated during the proceedings, with opposition MPs entering the well of the House and tearing copies of the Bill before its final passage.

Government’s Case For Replacing MGNREGA

Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan defended the Bill by stating that it substantially improves upon the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. He argued that the earlier scheme was plagued by corruption and inefficiency. According to the government, the new law shifts focus from wage-centric employment to the creation of durable rural assets, while promising greater transparency and accountability in implementation.

Opposition Criticism And Naming Controversy

The Congress and other opposition parties criticised the legislation, alleging that the government had deliberately removed Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the rural employment guarantee framework. They warned that the change diluted the spirit of employment assurance and weakened labour rights. Rejecting the charge, the government clarified that Mahatma Gandhi’s name was not part of the original 2005 Act and was added only later. The debate witnessed sharp exchanges, with ministers accusing the opposition of disrupting parliamentary decorum.

What to Note for Exams?

• The VB-G Ram G Bill replaces the existing MGNREGA framework.
• The law was passed by both Houses within a single parliamentary day.
• The scheme emphasises durable rural asset creation over wage payments.
• Over Rs 1.5 lakh crore has been allocated for implementation.

Funding Structure And Implementation Outlook

The government has earmarked more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore for the new mission, with the Centre contributing over Rs 95,000 crore. States are expected to bear around 40 percent of the expenditure. The Centre has argued that shared fiscal responsibility will strengthen cooperative federalism and ensure more effective rural development outcomes under the new law.