NEW DELHI, Dec 18 — Parliament on Thursday approved a new rural employment law that will replace the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, with the Lok Sabha passing the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill amid loud protests by opposition parties.
The VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025, seeks to guarantee 125 days of employment every year to rural households, expanding the scope of wage work beyond the existing framework of MGNREGA. Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the legislation would “strengthen livelihoods in villages and align employment with development goals.”
“This is a forward-looking step for rural India,” Chouhan told the House while replying to the debate. “The government is committed to ensuring dignity of labor and stable income opportunities in villages.”
Opposition members opposed the Bill, alleging it diluted key safeguards under MGNREGA and was rushed through without adequate consultation. Several MPs stood in the aisles, raised slogans against the government and tore copies of the legislation during the minister’s concluding remarks.
Despite the disruption, the Bill was put to vote and passed. Speaker Om Birla later adjourned the House for the day due to the continued uproar.
The Winter Session of Parliament is scheduled to conclude on Friday.
Read more: Govt introduces bill to replace MGNREGA amid protests
