TNI Bureau: The Lok Sabha passed the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 during the Winter Session of Parliament, replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The passage of the Bill triggered strong protests from Opposition parties inside the House.

The legislation was passed amid sloganeering and objections from Opposition MPs, who criticised the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the flagship rural employment scheme and warned of adverse effects on rural livelihoods.

Defending the Bill, Union Rural Development and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government remained firmly committed to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals through various welfare programmes, including PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, Ujjwala Yojana and Ayushman Bharat. He said the new law aims to address shortcomings in MGNREGA by strengthening planning, accountability and linking employment generation with the creation of durable assets.

The Minister said the revised scheme enhances employment security by increasing guaranteed work from 100 to 125 days per rural household annually. It also introduces a defined no-work period during peak sowing and harvesting seasons to ensure the availability of agricultural labour. As per the provisions, workers must be provided employment within 15 days of applying, failing which states will have to pay a daily unemployment allowance.