Lok Sabha Passes VB G RAM G Bill Amid Opposition Protest

Lok Sabha Passes VB G RAM G Bill Amid Opposition Protest

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Lok Sabha passes the VB G RAM G Bill to replace MGNREGA amid protests. Opposition warns of federal strain as states face higher funding burden.

Key Highlights

  • Lok Sabha clears the VB G RAM G Bill by voice vote amid intense opposition protests
  • Bill seeks to replace MGNREGA with a revised rural employment framework
  • Guaranteed workdays increased to 125, but states face higher funding responsibility
  • Opposition calls the move an attack on rural livelihoods and federal balance

Lok Sabha Passes VB G RAM G Bill Amid Opposition Protest and House Disruption

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the VB G RAM G Bill (the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025), amid unprecedented disruption and protests from opposition benches. The legislation, which aims to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), was cleared by a voice vote after a stormy session marked by slogan-shouting and confrontations on the floor of the House.

As Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan moved the VB G RAM G Bill for passage, opposition MPs entered the well, tore copies of the proposed law, and demanded its immediate withdrawal. Speaker Om Birla repeatedly urged members to maintain order, cautioning that Parliament must uphold democratic decorum. Despite the uproar, the House proceeded to declare the bill passed, setting the stage for its introduction in the Rajya Sabha.

Shifting the Rural Employment Framework

The VB G RAM G Bill introduces major structural changes to India’s rural employment guarantee system. A key provision raises the number of guaranteed workdays per rural household from 100 to 125, which the government says reflects its commitment to employment expansion and livelihood security.

However, the bill also alters the funding architecture. Under MGNREGA, the Centre bore nearly 90 percent of wage costs, with states largely responsible for administrative expenses. The VB G RAM G Bill mandates a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and states, except for northeastern and Himalayan states, where a 90:10 formula will continue.

Opposition parties argue that this shift places an unsustainable burden on fiscally weaker states. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra warned that transferring greater financial responsibility to states could weaken implementation and reduce access to guaranteed employment for rural households.

Another significant change under the VB G RAM G Bill is the transition from a demand-driven system to an allocation-based model. Annual expenditure limits will now be decided in advance by the Centre, rather than being linked directly to job demand generated by rural workers.

Opposition’s Fierce Resistance in Parliament

Opposition leaders described the VB G RAM G Bill as a direct assault on the spirit of MGNREGA, which legally guaranteed employment on demand. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called the legislation a “systematic dismantling” of the world’s largest public employment programme and announced plans for nationwide protests.

Senior opposition leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, staged a symbolic march inside the Parliament complex to register their dissent. Leaders from the Trinamool Congress, DMK, and Left parties also accused the government of eroding cooperative federalism through the financial provisions of the VB G RAM G Bill.

They further alleged that removing MGNREGA in favour of the new framework undermines the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and weakens social protection for millions of rural workers.

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Government Defends the VB G RAM G Bill

Defending the legislation, Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the VB G RAM G Bill is designed to modernise rural employment delivery and improve efficiency. He argued that the revised framework aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, focusing on asset creation, transparency, and outcome-based governance.

Chouhan accused the opposition of politicising the issue and claimed that overall rural development spending has increased under the current government. He maintained that the VB G RAM G Bill strengthens accountability while continuing to support employment generation in villages.

Rural Groups Announce Nationwide Protests

Outside Parliament, civil society organisations and worker unions reacted sharply to the passage of the VB G RAM G Bill. The NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, a coalition of grassroots groups, announced nationwide protests on December 19 across villages, districts, and state capitals.

Activist Aruna Roy said the VB G RAM G Bill threatens a crucial social safety net that provided dignity and income security to rural households. She warned that poorer states and vulnerable communities could be disproportionately affected by the funding changes.

What Lies Ahead

With the VB G RAM G Bill set to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha, political tensions are expected to escalate. Opposition parties have indicated they will attempt to stall or amend the legislation, making rural employment and federal funding a central point of confrontation in the ongoing parliamentary session.

If enacted, the VB G RAM G Bill will represent one of the most significant overhauls of India’s rural welfare architecture in two decades, reshaping how employment guarantees are financed and administered nationwide.