The Centre is set to introduce a new Bill in Parliament during the ongoing Winter Session, setting the stage for a major political confrontation. The proposed law aims to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a new scheme called the Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill.

The government says the new framework is aligned with its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. A whip has been issued, asking BJP MPs to be present in Parliament to ensure the Bill is passed.

According to the Bill, the new law will provide a legal guarantee of 125 days of wage employment every year to rural households. Adult members who are willing to do unskilled manual work will be eligible.

This is an increase from the 100 days of work guaranteed under MGNREGA, which was launched by the UPA government in 2005.

The Bill states that the aim is to provide income security to rural families while also creating long-lasting and useful assets in villages.

The proposed law focuses on four main types of work:

  • Water security, including conservation, irrigation, revival of water bodies and afforestation

  • Core rural infrastructure, such as rural roads, Panchayat Bhawans and Anganwadi centres

  • Livelihood-related infrastructure, including training centres, rural markets, and grain storage

  • Climate adaptation, such as disaster risk reduction and climate-related work

How the scheme will be funded

Under the new plan, the cost will be shared by the Centre and the states:

  • 90:10 sharing for Northeastern and Himalayan states

  • 60:40 sharing for other states and Union Territories with legislatures

  • 100 per cent funding by the Centre for Union Territories without legislatures

Any extra spending beyond this will have to be borne by the states.

Opposition questions removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name

The move has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned why Mahatma Gandhi’s name was being removed from the scheme.

She said, "Whenever the name of a scheme is changed, there are so many changes that have to be made in offices, stationery for which money is spent. So, what is the benefit, why it is being done?"

She further asked, "Why is Mahatma Gandhi's name being removed. Mahatma Gandhi is considered the tallest leader not just in the country but in the world, so removing his name, I really don't understand what is the objective? What is their intention?"

Priyanka Gandhi also said, "Even when we are debating it is on other issues, not the real issues of the people. Time is being wasted, money is being wasted, they are disrupting themselves."

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also criticised the government, calling the move an insult to the Father of the Nation.

He said the renaming showed a “petty mindset” and pointed out that the government had earlier spoken about adding “Pujya Bapu” before now proposing an entirely new name.

Gehlot said, "Since Independence, visiting foreign dignitaries have traditionally paid homage at Rajghat. It is ironic that while the world honours Mahatma Gandhi, there is an attempt to erase him in his own country."

He added that the move was emotionally and morally wrong, saying Mahatma Gandhi was deeply connected to Lord Ram. "Under the guise of using the word 'Ram', the Centre is trying to sideline Mahatma Gandhi, which is highly condemnable," Gehlot alleged.

The proposed Bill is expected to trigger intense debate in Parliament in the coming days.