What is VB G RAM G Bill? How It Replaces MGNREGA

New Delhi: Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India, Shivraj Singh Chouhan today introduced the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB G RAM G Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha today. Amid much uproar from the opposition, the VB G RAM G Bill, 2025 was passed in the Lok Sabha on December 18. Notably, the bill has been introduced to replace the existing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.

As the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025, which is the new rural employment law, here is a detailed explainer about what the bill is about and what benefit it will bring for citizens.

What are the new benefits of VB G RAM G Bill?

• VB G RAM G Bill guarantees 125 days of wage employment to rural households.
• It focused on various sectors including empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation.
• It emphasizes development-oriented works.
• It determines participation of both the center and states.

How is VB- G RAM G Bill 2025 reforming MGNREGA for Viksit Bharat?

From nearly two decades, rural employment has always been the central focus of India’s social protection framework. Since its enactment in 2005, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) had played an important role in providing wage employment, creating basic infrastructure and stabilising rural incomes. However, the structure of rural India have evolved significantly.

Due to the expanded connectivity and widespread digital penetration, the nature of rural employment needs have changed. Under this circumstances, the Government has proposed the Viksit Bharat- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025. It is also called as as Viksit Bharat- G RAM G Bill, 2025.

Interestingly, the bill is a complete overhaul of MGNREGA, focussing on rural employment with the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. It also strengthen accountability, infrastructure outcomes and income security.

Who will prepare the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans?

It is to be noted here that the ‘Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans’ is to be prepared by the Gram Panchayats on saturation basis with convergence of schemes, using PM Gati Shakti.

Under this bill, the integrated 'Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack' is focussed on rural public works.

What are the special focus of the bill? 

Under this bill the special focus is on water security works, core rural infrastructure, livelihood related infrastructure, special works to mitigate extreme weather events.

This is bill also has the provisions to facilitate availability of farm labour during peak agricultural seasons. Apart from this, it will robust transparency and accountability mechanisms such as weekly public disclosure systems and strengthened social audit.

Along with it, the VB G RAM G Bill will provide the comprehensive governance ecosystem, which is built on digital public infrastructure for efficient and high-integrity implementation.