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Parliament passes VB-G RAM G Bill, replacing 20-year-old MGNREGA and increasing wage guarantees to 125 days. Amid opposition walkouts and protests, the government promises transparency and village empowerment- but will rural workers truly benefit?
Wage guarantee raised to 125 days for rural workers
New Delhi: In a significant legislative move, Parliament on Thursday passed the VB-G RAM G Bill, which will replace the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The bill was passed amid heated protests and walkouts from opposition parties, with Rajya Sabha proceedings continuing until midnight during the Winter Session.
The new bill increases the statutory wage employment guarantee for unskilled workers from 100 days under MGNREGA to 125 days per financial year. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that the bill addresses shortcomings of the previous scheme and aims to bring in better transparency, accountability, and efficiency in rural employment programs. He stated that the bill will empower gram panchayats and village sabhas, contributing to the “comprehensive development of villages.”
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Opposition members staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha during the bill’s passage, demanding its withdrawal and raising slogans against the ruling NDA government. Outside the Parliament complex, opposition parties organized a dharna at Samvidhan Sadan to protest the new legislation.
Responding to criticism, Minister Chouhan accused the Congress of exploiting Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals for political gain and pointed to corruption in MGNREGA during the UPA regime. He argued that the VB-G RAM G Bill is necessary to modernize rural employment schemes, improve efficiency, and ensure timely wage disbursement.
The Centre has highlighted that the VB-G RAM G Bill enhances employment guarantees, introduces measures to strengthen transparency, and empowers local governance bodies. While opposition concerns focus on potential implementation challenges and the transition from MGNREGA, the government maintains that the legislation will provide more comprehensive benefits to rural workers and promote sustainable village development.
The passage of the VB-G RAM G Bill marks a major overhaul in India’s rural employment landscape. While the ruling NDA hails it as a step toward strengthening rural livelihoods, opposition parties have pledged to continue raising concerns about the bill’s impact and implementation. As the law comes into effect, the focus will shift to monitoring its execution and ensuring that the additional employment days translate into meaningful opportunities for unskilled workers across the country.
