The transition from Gandhi to Ram in the scheme’s symbolism has triggered political debate, with the Opposition questioning the need to drop Mahatma Gandhi’s name from one of India’s most iconic welfare laws.
BY PC Bureau
December 15, 2025: The Centre is set to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and replace it with a new law titled the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) — VB–G RAM G Bill, 2025, marking the most sweeping overhaul of India’s rural employment framework in two decades.
From Mahatma Gandhi to Lord Ram, the Centre’s new rural jobs law signals not just a policy shift, but a symbolic rewriting of India’s political and cultural narrative.
The Bill, listed in the supplementary agenda of the Lok Sabha, promises 125 days of guaranteed wage employment per rural household, up from the current 100 days under MGNREGA. The government says the revamped law aligns rural employment with its long-term vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.”
What Is VB–G RAM G?
VB–G RAM G establishes a new statutory framework for rural employment and infrastructure creation. It focuses on four priority areas:
- Water security through water conservation and irrigation works
- Core rural infrastructure such as roads and connectivity
- Livelihood-related infrastructure including storage and market facilities
- Climate resilience projects to mitigate floods, droughts, and extreme weather
All assets created will be consolidated into a Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack, aimed at centralised monitoring and coordinated planning.
Thread
By replacing MNREGA with VB-G Ram Bill, Modi Govt removed the soul of a rights-based guarantee law and replaced it with a conditional, centrally controlled scheme stacked against States & workers.
Not to forget removed Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme
Do read
👇 pic.twitter.com/wOW62Z8qEn— Ramandeep Singh Mann (@ramanmann1974) December 15, 2025
How Is It Different From MGNREGA?
According to the government, the new law addresses “structural weaknesses” in MGNREGA:
- Employment guarantee increases from 100 to 125 days
- Shift from an open-ended demand-driven model to normative funding
- Digital attendance, payments, and planning become mandatory
- Panchayat-level Viksit Gram Plans integrated with national platforms like PM Gati Shakti
- Enhanced monitoring, social audits, and AI-based fraud detection
What Does It Mean for Farmers and Labourers?
The Bill introduces a 60-day no-work window during peak sowing and harvesting seasons, aimed at preventing farm labour shortages and wage inflation. Workers remain entitled to 125 days of employment in the remaining period, or unemployment allowance if work is not provided.
The government claims farmers will benefit from better irrigation, storage, and market access, while labourers will gain higher income security, predictable work schedules, and improved wage transparency.
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Why Replace MGNREGA Now?
The Centre argues that MGNREGA, designed in 2005, no longer matches today’s rural economy. It cites falling poverty levels, higher digital penetration, and persistent issues such as fund misuse, ghost works, and weak compliance despite repeated reforms.
Official data shows misappropriation of nearly ₹194 crore in 2024–25, alongside widespread bypassing of digital attendance systems. The government says a “clean-slate” law was necessary to modernise rural employment governance.
Political Pushback
The move has triggered sharp political reactions, with the Congress accusing the BJP of erasing Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy by removing his name from the flagship scheme. The government, however, insists the reform is about outcomes, not symbolism.
If passed, VB–G RAM G will formally end MGNREGA and redefine the contours of rural employment, development, and welfare in India for the next two decades.
