Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill to Replace MGNREGA

The Union government is set to introduce the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 in Parliament, proposing to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The new legislation aims to realign rural employment policy with the long-term national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by expanding job guarantees, strengthening infrastructure creation, and tightening governance mechanisms.

What Is VB–G Ram G Bill 2025?

The proposed law establishes a modern statutory framework guaranteeing 125 days of wage employment per financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work. This marks a 25 per cent increase over the 100-day entitlement under MGNREGA. Beyond employment, the Act prioritises durable asset creation to support long-term rural growth and resilience, linking job generation with development outcomes.

Four Priority Verticals for Rural Development

Under VB–G Ram G, all works will be organised under four clearly defined verticals. These include water security through water-related works, core rural infrastructure such as roads and connectivity, livelihood-related infrastructure like storage and market facilities, and special works to mitigate extreme weather events. Assets created will be consolidated into a Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack to ensure coordinated planning, monitoring, and national-level integration.

How It Differs From MGNREGA

The new Act represents a structural shift from the older demand-driven model. It introduces normative funding aligned with standard government budgeting practices while retaining a legal employment guarantee. Planning will be decentralised through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, prepared locally and integrated with national spatial platforms such as PM Gati-Shakti. The focus moves away from scattered works to strategic, outcome-oriented infrastructure creation with enhanced accountability.

What to Note for Exams?

• VB–G Ram G guarantees 125 days of rural wage employment annually.
• It replaces MGNREGA and aligns with Viksit Bharat 2047.
• Works are grouped into four priority infrastructure verticals.
• Funding shifts from demand-based to normative budgeting.

Impact on Farmers, Labourers and States

Farmers are expected to benefit from improved irrigation, storage, connectivity, and climate-resilient infrastructure, alongside provisions allowing up to 60 days of pause in public works during peak sowing and harvesting periods to prevent labour shortages and wage inflation. Labourers gain from higher guaranteed workdays, predictable employment through advance planning, digital wage payments, and mandatory unemployment allowance if work is not provided. States will share implementation responsibility under a centrally sponsored structure, balancing local execution with national standards and oversight.