The meeting comes in the wake of the VB G RAM G Bill receiving Parliament’s approval during the recently concluded Winter Session of Parliament. The new legislation aims to provide a revamped framework for rural employment and livelihood guarantees.
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New Delhi: The Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (2025-2026), scheduled to meet on December 29, has invited representatives from the Department of Rural Development (Ministry of Rural Development) for a detailed briefing on the subject titled “Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission-Gramin (VB G RAM G) Bill” and its comparison with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA).
The meeting comes in the wake of the VB G RAM G Bill receiving Parliament’s approval during the recently concluded Winter Session of Parliament. The new legislation aims to provide a revamped framework for rural employment and livelihood guarantees. However, it has faced opposition criticism on two main grounds: that it effectively replaces and repeals MGNREGA, the flagship rural employment program named after Mahatma Gandhi, and that it removes Gandhi’s name from the scheme, stirring controversy over the government’s intent.
The Parliamentary panel’s upcoming discussion will focus on understanding the provisions of the VB G RAM G Bill, its operational differences and potential benefits compared to MGNREGA, and addressing concerns raised by various stakeholders regarding the transition from the well-established MGNREGA framework. This review marks a crucial step in evaluating the future direction of rural employment policies in the country.
