The political turmoil intensified as soon as the VB-GRAM Bill 2025, related to rural employment, was passed by Parliament. After the bill was passed by voice vote in the Rajya Sabha at midnight, the opposition staged a protest outside the Parliament building.
Midnight Uproar in Parliament as Opposition Sits on Dharna Over G RAM G Bill
New Delhi: An unprecedented political confrontation was witnessed in Parliament over the Developed India Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural), or VB-GRAM Bill 2025, related to the employment system in rural India. After the bill was passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, opposition parties accused the government of crushing the democratic process.
The Rajya Sabha passed the bill by voice vote after midnight. The Lok Sabha had already approved it earlier. This new law will replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). The government claims that it will provide more employment opportunities to rural families.
As soon as the bill was passed, MPs from several opposition parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, and DMK, staged a protest outside the Parliament building. Slogans and protests continued throughout the night. Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader Sagarika Ghosh said that the government had forcibly passed the law without sufficient debate.
Opposition leaders alleged that only five hours' notice was given for such a major bill. Sagarika Ghosh said that the bill should have been sent to a select committee so that the opinions of all parties could be considered. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala called it the "saddest day" for laborers.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that the scheme on which the livelihoods of 120 million people depended was being abolished. He warned that just as the farm laws had to be withdrawn, this law too would have to be repealed. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari claimed that MNREGA would be reinstated if his party came to power.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the bill is in the interest of the poor and rural population. Under the new law, adult members of rural families will receive 125 days of unskilled labor employment annually. The fund-sharing ratio will be 60:40 for general states and 90:10 for northeastern and hilly states.
There was considerable uproar in the Lok Sabha during the discussion of the bill, with the opposition accusing the government of removing Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme. After being passed by both houses of Parliament, the bill will now be sent to the President for assent. The opposition has made it clear that the agitation on this issue will continue even outside Parliament.
