Parliament on Thursday passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, marking a major shift in India’s rural employment policy and formally replacing the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The passage of the Bill, however, was accompanied by intense protests, walkouts and a dharna by Opposition parties, who accused the government of dismantling a landmark welfare programme and disrespecting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy.

The Rajya Sabha approved the Bill by a voice vote during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, hours after it was cleared by the Lok Sabha. The smooth numerical passage of the legislation contrasted sharply with the political turmoil it triggered inside and outside Parliament, underscoring the deep ideological divide between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition over the future of rural employment schemes in India.

What is the VB-G RAM G Bill?

The VB-G RAM G Bill seeks to replace MGNREGA, which was enacted in 2005 and later renamed to include Mahatma Gandhi’s name. The new legislation guarantees 125 days of wage employment per year to rural households, an increase from the existing 100-day guarantee under MGNREGA.

According to the government, the new scheme is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) and aims to shift the focus from mere wage payments to the creation of durable rural assets, livelihood generation and climate-resilient infrastructure. The scheme places emphasis on works related to water conservation, rural infrastructure, livelihood enhancement and mitigation of extreme weather events.

Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who piloted the Bill in both Houses, said the legislation was the result of extensive deliberations and reflected the changing needs of rural India.

Rajya Sabha passage amid protests

The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill after a discussion that lasted nearly five hours, even as Opposition members raised slogans, demanded the withdrawal of the legislation and called for it to be referred to a parliamentary standing committee for detailed scrutiny.

Several Opposition MPs staged a walkout during the passage of the Bill, alleging that the government was rushing through a far-reaching reform without adequate consultation. Some members also tore copies of the Bill inside the House, prompting Chairman CP Radhakrishnan to issue warnings and urge members not to approach the treasury benches.

Despite the disruptions, the government pushed ahead, arguing that the Bill was essential to address structural flaws in MGNREGA and to modernise India’s rural employment framework.

Why did the Opposition protest?

The Opposition’s objections to the VB-G RAM G Bill centred on three key issues.

First, Opposition parties strongly objected to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the rural employment guarantee programme. They accused the BJP-led government of deliberately erasing Gandhi’s legacy and undermining the ideological foundation of MGNREGA, which was closely associated with the values of social justice and dignity of labour.

Second, the Opposition alleged that the new Bill shifts a greater financial burden to states, potentially straining state finances and weakening the Centre’s commitment to rural welfare. They argued that without adequate central funding guarantees, poorer states may struggle to implement the scheme effectively.

Third, Opposition members demanded that the Bill be referred to a parliamentary panel for wider consultation, warning that dismantling MGNREGA without consensus could have serious consequences for rural livelihoods, especially at a time of economic uncertainty and climate stress.

Opposition dharna and nationwide agitation call

Following the passage of the Bill, Opposition parties escalated their protest by staging a dharna outside the Samvidhan Sadan in the Parliament complex. Leaders claimed they would launch a country-wide agitation against what they described as an “anti-poor” and “anti-Gandhi” move by the government.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs announced a 12-hour dharna on the steps of Samvidhan Sadan, while other Opposition parties joined in solidarity. The protests reflected broader anxieties among Opposition ranks that the replacement of MGNREGA could weaken a programme that has served as a crucial safety net for millions of rural households.

Government’s defence: Fixing flaws in MGNREGA

Responding to the criticism, Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a strong defence of the Bill and went on the offensive against the Congress and other Opposition parties.

“This Bill is very necessary as it will help provide employment opportunities, help development of rural India and take the country forward,” Chouhan said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

He accused the Congress of repeatedly betraying Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals while using his name for political gain. Chouhan claimed that corruption and inefficiencies had plagued MGNREGA during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) years, preventing the scheme from achieving its intended impact.

According to the minister, funds allocated under MGNREGA during the UPA regime were often misused, and significant amounts were not spent on procuring materials required for meaningful asset creation. He argued that the scheme became overly focused on wage payments rather than building productive rural infrastructure.

NDA vs UPA funding comparison

To bolster his argument, Chouhan presented comparative data on MGNREGA funding under successive governments. He claimed that while the UPA government released ₹2.13 lakh crore for the scheme during its tenure, the NDA government had released nearly ₹8.53 lakh crore, reflecting its commitment to rural employment and development.

Chouhan asserted that the Modi government implemented MGNREGA more effectively than its predecessor and that the new VB-G RAM G framework was designed to take rural development to the next level.

Focus on asset creation and model villages

A central theme of the government’s defence was the shift from temporary employment to permanent asset creation. Chouhan argued that MGNREGA had outlived its utility in its existing form and that India now needed a more ambitious programme focused on sustainable development.

He said the government planned to spend ₹10–11 lakh crore on initiatives such as water conservation, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related assets and special works to mitigate extreme weather events. The objective, he said, was to create model villages and long-term economic opportunities rather than limiting the scheme to short-term wage employment.

Heated scenes in Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha had earlier passed the Bill after an eight-hour discussion, which also witnessed high drama. Opposition MPs tore papers, raised slogans and accused the government of destroying the rural economy and ignoring Gandhian principles.

Chouhan, in a spirited reply, dismissed the allegations and accused the Opposition of indulging in “hooliganism”. He said the behaviour of Opposition members had turned parliamentary democracy into “bheedtantra” (mobocracy) and “goondatantra” (hooliganism).

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters after the Lok Sabha passage, Chouhan said the Opposition had disgraced parliamentary traditions by standing on desks and tearing documents.

Gandhi, politics and legacy

One of the most politically charged aspects of the debate was the invocation of Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy. Chouhan claimed that the Congress had added Gandhi’s name to the rural employment scheme in 2009 purely for electoral benefits.

He further alleged that Mahatma Gandhi had wanted the Congress to be disbanded after Independence, a wish that was not honoured by Jawaharlal Nehru for political reasons. According to Chouhan, the BJP, not the Congress, truly followed Gandhi’s social and economic ideals.

“The entire nation is watching their goondagardi, and the Opposition is committing the sin of insulting democracy,” Chouhan said during the Rajya Sabha debate.

What lies ahead?

With the passage of the VB-G RAM G Bill in both Houses, the legislation will now be sent for the President’s assent, after which it will become law. The government is expected to roll out the new scheme in phases, with detailed rules and guidelines to be notified in due course.

The replacement of MGNREGA marks one of the most significant changes in India’s welfare architecture in recent years. Supporters argue it reflects evolving developmental priorities and a move towards sustainable rural growth. Critics warn it could dilute a proven safety net and politicise rural welfare.

As the Opposition prepares for nationwide protests and the government pushes ahead with implementation, the debate over VB-G RAM G versus MGNREGA is likely to remain a central political issue, especially with rural livelihoods, federal finances and Gandhian symbolism all at stake.

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