Government moves VB-G RAM G Bill proposing new rural employment framework

Union Minister for Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday moved the Lok Sabha to introduce the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, which seeks to replace the existing rural employment law, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.

The move drew strong opposition from members of the Opposition at the introduction stage, with several MPs demanding that the proposed legislation be referred to a parliamentary panel for detailed scrutiny.

Opposition MPs, including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, objected to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the rural employment scheme as the government proposed a new law in place of MGNREGA.

According to a copy of the Bill, the proposed legislation will provide a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work.

The Bill further states that within six months from the date of commencement of the VB-G RAM G Act, state governments will be required to frame and implement schemes that are consistent with the provisions of the new law.

In a statement, the Ministry of Rural Development said the proposed legislation aims to establish a modern statutory framework aligned with the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.

The ministry said the Bill seeks to generate employment while also creating durable rural infrastructure through four priority verticals — water security through water-related works, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and special works to mitigate extreme weather events.

It added that all assets created under the programme will be aggregated into the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack, with the objective of ensuring a unified and coordinated national development strategy.

The ministry described the proposed law as a “major upgrade” over MGNREGA, stating that it addresses structural weaknesses while enhancing employment generation, transparency, planning, and accountability.