New Delhi: The Union government is moving swiftly to pass the controversial rural employment legislation — the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grameen) [VB-G RAM G] Bill, 2025 — in Parliament today, rejecting Opposition demands to refer the Bill to a Parliamentary Standing Committee.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the Speaker, where the government made it clear that the Bill would not be sent for detailed scrutiny. The Centre plans to take up the legislation for passage after the proposed Nuclear Energy (Shanti) Bill.
The push has triggered resistance not only from the Opposition but also from key NDA allies. Reports suggest that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) have expressed serious concerns, with the TDP demanding that the Bill be referred to a Standing Committee. The Shiromani Akali Dal has also announced its opposition.
The INDIA bloc intensified its protest strategy, with leaders meeting under the chairmanship of Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to plan coordinated demonstrations inside Parliament. The Opposition has decided to move amendments to the Bill, calling it an attempt to dilute the existing rural employment guarantee framework.
Introduced on Monday by Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Bill seeks to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name sparked sharp protests in the Lok Sabha, with Opposition MPs holding up Gandhi’s portraits in dissent.
Responding to the uproar, Chouhan said the government was working to realise Gandhiji’s vision of “Ram Rajya”, adding that Mahatma Gandhi lives in the hearts of the people.
According to the draft circulated among MPs, the Bill proposes to increase guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125 per year, but also shifts a major financial burden to states, requiring them to bear 40 per cent of rural employment wages. Critics argue this could strain state finances and weaken the spirit of the original employment guarantee law.
With strong political opposition and dissent within the ruling alliance itself, the Bill’s passage is set to be one of the most closely watched parliamentary battles of the session.
