The Union government on Tuesday introduced in the Lok Sabha a bill to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2025. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan introduced the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, which will replace the existing rural employment guarantee law.
As soon as the minister moved to introduce the bill, Opposition members raised strong objections and demanded that the proposed legislation be sent to a parliamentary panel for greater scrutiny.
Among the MPs who opposed the bill was Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who raised her strong objection to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the new rural employment law.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described the new bill as an assault on the spirit of the scheme. “… It is not just an administrative tweak, it is an assault on the spirit and philosophical foundation of the rural employment programme,” Tharoor said.
‘Obsession with changing the name’: Congress slams Govt ahead of MGNREGA move
Introducing the bill amid noise protests, Shivraj Singh Chouhan rejected the Opposition charge on the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name and said the government not only believes in the Father of the Nation but also follows his principles.
The Modi government has done more for rural development than previous regimes, Chouhan told the Lok Sabha while introducing the VB-G RAM G Bill.
“Mahatma Gandhi ji lives in our hearts. It was the resolve of both Gandhi ji and Pandit Deendayal that the welfare of the most downtrodden should be the top priority. We believe in their principles and are running several poverty alleviation schemes based on them… Earlier, the Congress party renamed the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana, but was that considered as disrespect to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru?” the Union minister asked.
Shortly after the bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, the House was adjourned for lunch till 2 pm.
Opposition leaders then proceeded for a protest outside Parliament. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged, “The reason behind changing the name is that they want to end the 100-day employment scheme completely…”
Watch | Opposition leaders protest against the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, that seeks to replace the existing rural employment law MGNREGA.
The bill was introduced in Lok Sabha by Union Minister Shivraj Singh… pic.x.com/lyajp2B9Wx
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Among other changes, the new bill guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household per year, up from the existing 100 days, for adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual work.