Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Lok Sabha Passes VB-G RAM G Bill
The BJP government has proposed a new bill called VB-G RAM G to replace the old MGNREGA scheme.
MGNREGA was started in 2005 to give rural poor at least 100 days of work every year.
The new bill promises 125 days of work but changes how money is shared between the central and state governments.
The Congress party, TMC, and Left Front are criticizing the change, especially the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name.
They say the government is not paying pending dues and is weakening the scheme.
The Left Front has called for a nationwide protest on December 22.
The Congress and other opposition parties want the bill to be examined by a parliamentary committee before it becomes law.
TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu welcomed the change, noting that poverty has decreased significantly and the scheme needs to be updated.
The Lok Sabha completed the discussion on the bill, with 98 members participating, and the Rural Development Minister is scheduled to respond.
The Lok Sabha passed the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025, replacing MGNREGA amid intense protests from Opposition parties.
The new bill guarantees 125 days of wage employment annually and changes the funding pattern, with the Centre providing 60% and states 40% of the costs.
Opposition parties criticized the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name and the increased financial burden on states, staging protests and disrupting the Lok Sabha.
Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan defended the bill, accusing the Congress of politicizing Gandhi's name and highlighting the government's welfare initiatives.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the bill, with Banerjee announcing the renaming of Bengal's job scheme after Gandhi.
- Who
- BJP government, Congress party, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, Left Front, Activists, TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu
- What
- Proposal to replace MGNREGA with VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025
- When
- Bill introduced on December 16, 2023; Protest planned for December 22, 2023; Lok Sabha debate concluded on December 20, 2023
- Where
- India, with specific focus on rural areas
- Why
- To establish a rural development framework aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047
- Current Scheme
- MGNREGA
- Proposed New Scheme
- VB-G RAM G
- Pending Dues in West Bengal
- Over Rs 50,000 crore
- Year of MGNREGA Implementation
- 2005
- Opposition Party
- Congress, TMC, Left Front
- Proposed Work Days
- 125 days
- Fund Sharing Ratio (Northeastern and Himalayan States)
- 90:10
- Fund Sharing Ratio (Other States and UTs with Legislature)
- 60:40
- Protest Date
- December 22
- TDP's Request
- Central support for Andhra Pradesh to roll out VB-G RAM G
- Poverty Reduction
- From 25% in 2011-12 to 4.8% in 2023-24
Sources
MGNREGA name change row: Abhishek Banerjee says removing Gandhi’s name shows the value BJP holds for ‘Bapu’
Explainer: MGNREGA or VB-G RAM G, which is better?
Low Funds, Pending Dues, No Work: How Govt Crippled MGNREGA Before Renaming It
Send VB-G RAM G Bill to Standing Committee: Chairperson of parliamentary panel on rural development
Renaming MGNREGA Is Second Assassination Of Gandhi: P Chidambaram To NDTV
States to face additional outgo of ₹29,000 cr due to higher share in VB G RAM G scheme expenses
Stalin questions AIADMK’s silence on fund cut and rechristening of MGNREGA as VBGRAMG
‘Assault on right to work’: Activists demand rollback of G RAM G Bill, warn of protests
Left Front declares national protest against ‘G-RAM-G’ Bill, defends MGNREGA legacy
Destroying Gandhi’s idea of Ram Rajya: Mahua Moitra slams govt on G RAM G bill
Why was government in a tearing hurry on VB-G RAM G Bill
Destroying Gandhi’s Idea of Ram Rajya: Mahua Moitra Slams Govt on G RAM G Bill
Death knell for MGNREGA: Lok Sabha debates new rural jobs Bill amid Opposition fire
State of MGNREGA
Jean Dreze on VB-G RAM G Bill: ‘It is like providing a work guarantee without any guarantee that the guarantee is in place’
Stalin Asks AIADMK to Clarify its Stand on New Rural Employment Bill
Explain stand on new rural employment bill, Stalin tells AIADMK
Work days up but Centre may spend less in rural job scheme
Debate On G RAM G Bill Begins, Minister Says It Will Fulfil Gandhi's Dream
Oppn to protest against G-RAM-G Bill in Parl tomorrow
Amid G RAM G Row, BJP Ally EPS Pushes For MGNREGA Name Being Retained
Structural Reforms in MGNREGA Inevitable: Dinakar
Congress Protests Removal of ‘Gandhi’ Name from MGNREGS in Adilabad
TDP MP: Andhra revenue-deficit, need Centre’s help to roll out G RAM G
Debate On G RAM G Bill Concluded, Minister Shivraj Chouhan To Respond Today
As Chouhan moves rural job scheme Bill, Opp hits out at Govt: ‘Biggest crime’
‘Dilution of right to work’: Activists, economists slam VB-G RAM G Bill
BJP chief ministers wanted MGNREGA to include farm work. Modi government’s bill goes another way
Opposition attacks RAM G Bill in Lok Sabha over MGNREGA overhaul and funding shift
RAM G Bill triggers backlash over dilution of MGNREGA job guarantee framework
‘Democracy sacrificed on Assembly floor,’ says KTR on Speaker’s ruling
Opposition seeks Standing Committee scrutiny of VB-G RAM G’ Bill; BJP defends, cites transparency
Jagga Reddy poser to BJP: Did people give power to PM to ‘erase history of Mahatma, Nehru, Gandhi family or to govern’?
‘States will not be able to handle financial burden’: Oppn’s claims vs counter-claims on VB-G RAM G Bill
MGNREGA Renamed To VB–G RAM-G Triggers Political Storm, Opposition Flags Crores In Rebranding Costs
Opposition must debate utility, provisions of VB-GRAMG. Look beyond the name
Centre insulting Gandhi and undermining federal structure: Khandre
MGNREGA was democratic state-building. VB-GRAMG turns welfare back to mai-baapism
Change in MGNREGA name opposed
Andhra Pradesh MP highlights state’s revenue deficit, says hurdle to funding MGNREGA replacement
Lok Sabha passes VB–G Ram G Bill that seeks to replace MGNREGA amid Opposition uproar
Lok Sabha clears G Ram G bill, Oppn tears copies
Lok Sabha passes Viksit Bharat Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025
NDA, Oppn lock horns over replacing MGNREGA with Viksit Bharat G RAM G Bill
G Ram G Clears Lok Sabha Amid Uproar, Opposition Tears Copy Of Bill
G RAM G Bill Passed In Lok Sabha
Ruckus in LS as Oppn demands VB-G Ram G Bill to be referred to Standing Committee or JPC
'We live up to ideals of Gandhi ji': Shivraj Singh Chouhan in LS amid Oppn uproar over G Ram G Bill
LS passes VB-G RAM G Bill amid Oppn protest; PM Modi keeps Gandhi's ideals alive, says Shivraj Chouhan
Opposition protests in Parliament complex over renaming of MGNREGA, Sonia Gandhi joins march
VB-G RAM G Clears Lok Sabha: End of MGNREGA Era? How It Will Help Rural Workers - Explained
G RAM G bill: Opposition’s protest march in Parliament complex, Kharge vows to take fight to streets
Winter Session 2025: Lok Sabha passes VB G RAM G Bill amid protests under Viksit Bharat 2047 vision
MGNREGA Will End In Months, Bill Is Against Poor: Priyanka Gandhi
G Ram G bill cleared in LS amid uproar, Oppn tears copies
Lok Sabha passes VB G RAM G Bill to replace MGNREGS; to guarantee 125 days of employment
Opposition MPs March in Parliament, Seek Withdrawal of G RAM G Bill
Lok Sabha passes VB GRAM G Bill to replace MGNREGA amid opposition protest- Find key features inside
Opposition MPs Tear Copy Of New Rural Employment Bill 'VB - G Ram G' In Protest; Video
LS Passes G RAM G Bill Amid Opposition Uproar, Adjourned for the Day
Rural employment guarantee scheme: Stalin hits out Centre, Palaniswami
Mamata slams Centre over G RAM G bill, says Bengal’s job scheme will be renamed after Gandhi
G RAM G Bill To Replace MNREGA Passed In Lok Sabha Amid Uproar By Opposition
‘Bowing before Mahatma Gandhi’s feet’: Lok Sabha passes VB-G RAM G Bill to replace MGNREGA amid protests
If They Won't Respect Mahatma, We Will': Mamata Banerjee Renames West Bengal's Job Scheme Amid 'G Ram G Bill' Row
Lok Sabha passes rural jobs bill, opposition protests MGNREGA changes
Lok Sabha passes rural jobs bill replacing MGNREGA amid Opposition protests
What is 'Vb-G Ram G Bill'? Key Points Explained
‘Answer to VB-G RAM G Bill’: Mamata announces Karmashree scheme will be renamed after Mahatma Gandhi
JMM cautions against dilution of MGNREGA under proposed VB-GRAM Bill
Congress Working Committee to meet on Dec 27 to discuss MGNREGA repeal, political situation
‘Decorum torn to shreds’: Shivraj Singh Chouhan hits out at Opposition for protest against VB-G RAM G Bill
‘Insult to Bapu’s principles’: Shivraj Singh Chouhan slams Opposition over ruckus in Lok Sabha, defends VB-G RAM G Bill
Lok Sabha passes VB-G RAM G bill to replace MGNREGA amid uproar by Opposition
TMC’s O’Brien slams Govt’s ‘mockery’ of Parliament over replacing MGNREGA Bill
Arunachal Congress Slams MGNREGA Renaming, Calls Move Politically Motivated
G RAM G Bill passed in Lok Sabha amid protest by Opposition
Rural employment bill: TN CM writes to PM, wants MGNREGA to stay
VB-G RAM G versus MGNREGA: Here are the major differences
VB-G-RAM G Bill will adversely hit Kerala: Finance Minister Balagopal
SHANTI Bill Is ‘TRUMP Bill’: TMC MP Sagarika Ghose Attacks Govt in Rajya Sabha
Central trade unions to protest against SHANTI Bill
