The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025

The VB-G RAM G Bill, set to replace the two-decade-old MGNREGA, is poised for introduction in the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session of Parliament.

Key Features

• Employment Guarantee: The bill guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household, compared to 100 days under MGNREGA.
• Funding Structure: Operates as a centrally-sponsored scheme with a 60:40 cost-sharing model between the Centre and states, and a 90:10 model for northeastern and Himalayan states.
• Political Sensitivity: The removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name and the acronym 'RAM' have sparked political debate.

Focus Areas

• Asset Creation: Emphasizes durable asset creation across water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and climate-resilient works.
• Coordinated Planning: Assets mapped into a national rural infrastructure stack for coordinated planning by gram panchayats.

Funding and Implementation

• Normative Funding: Pre-determined state-wise allocations with legal employment or unemployment allowance guarantees.
• Support for Farmers: States may notify 60 aggregated days during peak sowing and harvesting seasons to pause public works, ensuring labor availability.

Government's Perspective

Union Rural Development Minister emphasized the need for modernization to address socio-economic transformations in rural areas.

The government argues that the bill is a necessary modernization with enhanced digital systems and infrastructure-focused design.