The debate around India’s rural employment framework has intensified after Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju categorically ruled out any possibility of revisiting or rolling back the VB-G RAM G Act, stating that Parliament has already approved the law and the country must move forward. His remarks, delivered after an all-party meeting ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament, have sparked fresh political confrontation, with the Opposition demanding a detailed discussion on the controversial legislation.

At the heart of this political standoff is the VB-G RAM G Act news, which has dominated national discourse since the government formally replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005 with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. For nearly two decades, MGNREGA stood as a flagship social security programme, guaranteeing wage employment to rural households. Its replacement marks one of the most significant policy shifts in India’s rural development history.

“Can’t reverse gear and go back to the past”

Speaking to reporters, Kiren Rijiju made it clear that the government views the enactment of the new law as a settled matter. “We can't reverse gear and go back to the past. It cannot happen,” he said, responding to Opposition demands that the issue be taken up for discussion in Parliament. According to the Law Minister, once a Bill has been duly passed by both Houses of Parliament and received Presidential assent, the focus must shift to implementation rather than re-litigation.

This statement has since become the defining headline of the Kiren Rijiju statement today, underlining the government’s firm resolve to stand by the reform. Rijiju also rejected allegations that the Centre had failed to share its legislative agenda with Opposition parties, clarifying that established parliamentary procedures are being followed and that government business is traditionally outlined after the President’s address at the beginning of the first session each year.

Opposition’s demand for debate

The Opposition, however, remains unconvinced. Several parties have argued that replacing MGNREGA with a new framework fundamentally alters the social contract between the State and rural citizens. They claim that such a transformative move warrants an extensive parliamentary debate, especially during the Budget Session, when policies with long-term fiscal and social implications are typically scrutinised.

For Opposition leaders, the issue is not merely procedural but ideological. They see the move as part of a broader shift in welfare policy, raising concerns about job security, wage guarantees, and decentralised implementation. The continued protests have kept Opposition protest VB-G RAM G firmly in the spotlight, with demands ranging from reconsideration of the Act to assurances on funding and transparency.

What is the VB-G RAM G Act?

To understand the controversy, it is essential to look closely at the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. The law represents a comprehensive overhaul of India’s rural employment law, replacing MGNREGA after 20 years of operation. While MGNREGA focused primarily on providing a legal guarantee of 100 days of wage employment per rural household, the new Act aims to integrate employment generation with sustainable livelihoods and skill development.

According to the government, the VB-G RAM G Act latest news reflects a shift from short-term wage employment to a more holistic approach that combines rozgar (employment) with ajeevika (livelihoods). The redesigned framework seeks to align rural job creation with national development goals under the broader Viksit Bharat vision.

Legislative journey of the new law

The Bill was introduced in Parliament in December 2025 and taken up for deliberation during the Winter Session. Despite Opposition resistance, it was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 18 and cleared by the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of December 19. The legislative process concluded swiftly when the President gave assent on December 21, officially bringing the VB-G RAM G Act into force and superseding MGNREGA.

This timeline is central to the government’s argument. Rijiju has emphasised that the law followed due parliamentary process, making demands for reversal impractical. From the government’s perspective, reopening the issue would undermine legislative finality and governance stability.

Why MGNREGA mattered

To fully grasp the emotional and political weight of the debate, one must consider the legacy of MGNREGA replaced news. Introduced in 2005, MGNREGA was widely regarded as a transformative social welfare scheme. It provided a safety net for millions of rural households, especially during agricultural lean seasons and economic downturns. The programme gained renewed relevance during crises such as droughts and the COVID-19 pandemic, when rural employment became a lifeline for migrant workers.

Critics of the new law argue that dismantling MGNREGA risks weakening this safety net. They fear that without a legally enforceable guarantee of work, rural workers could face increased insecurity. These concerns form the backbone of the Opposition’s campaign against the VB-G RAM G Act.

Government’s defence of the reform

The government, however, maintains that the VB-G RAM G Act is not a dilution but an evolution. Officials argue that while MGNREGA addressed immediate employment needs, it often failed to create durable assets or long-term livelihood opportunities. The new framework, they claim, is designed to overcome these limitations by integrating employment with skills training, infrastructure development, and rural entrepreneurship.

Supporters of the reform believe it will modernise rural employment policy, making it more responsive to changing economic realities. By focusing on productivity and sustainability, the government hopes to reduce dependency on wage guarantees while empowering rural communities to generate stable incomes.

Parliamentary procedure and political messaging

Rijiju’s remarks also touched upon parliamentary norms, countering claims that the government was avoiding scrutiny. He reiterated that legislative business is shared after the President’s address and accused the Opposition of politicising procedural issues. This aspect of the debate has highlighted the tension between governance efficiency and parliamentary deliberation, a recurring theme in Indian politics.

The standoff has ensured that top political news India remains dominated by discussions on welfare reform, parliamentary democracy, and the role of consensus in policymaking.

Impact on rural India

Beyond Parliament, the real test of the VB-G RAM G Act will be its impact on rural livelihoods. India’s rural economy supports a majority of the population, and any change to employment guarantees has far-reaching consequences. The government has promised that no eligible beneficiary will be left behind and that the transition from MGNREGA to the new system will be smooth.

However, sceptics argue that implementation challenges, funding adequacy, and administrative capacity will determine the scheme’s success. For millions of rural workers, the debate is not ideological but practical—will the new law deliver timely work and reliable income?

Budget Session significance

The timing of the controversy, just ahead of the Budget Session, adds another layer of significance. Budgets shape resource allocation, and the Opposition has demanded clarity on how the new rural employment framework will be funded. Whether the government addresses these concerns during budgetary discussions could influence public perception and political momentum.

While Rijiju has ruled out a formal debate on the Act itself, pressure may mount for detailed explanations during budget presentations and parliamentary questions.

A defining policy moment

The replacement of MGNREGA with the VB-G RAM G Act marks a defining moment in India’s social policy evolution. It reflects the government’s confidence in pursuing structural reforms, even at the cost of political controversy. At the same time, the Opposition’s resistance underscores the enduring sensitivity around welfare schemes that directly affect livelihoods.

As the dust settles, the focus will inevitably shift from political rhetoric to ground-level outcomes. Whether the VB-G RAM G Act latest news ultimately becomes a success story or a contentious footnote will depend on how effectively it delivers on its promise of rozgar and ajeevika for rural India.

For now, Kiren Rijiju’s unequivocal message sets the tone: the law is here to stay, and the government is unwilling to look back. The coming months will reveal how this bold reform reshapes India’s rural employment landscape and influences the broader political narrative ahead of future elections.

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