The Lok Sabha witnessed a fierce political clash over the ‘Developed India Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Bill, 2025’, also known as the VB-G RAM G Bill. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan strongly defended the government's position on the bill, while the opposition vehemently protested, alleging it was an attempt to remove Mahatma Gandhi's name from the MGNREGA scheme.

During the discussion, opposition MPs chanted slogans in the House, staged a protest in the well of the House, and tore up copies of the bill. The opposition alleged that the government was insulting Gandhiji's name and ideals.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Response

Responding in the House, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that initially, the scheme was known as NREGA and did not include Mahatma Gandhi's name. He alleged that the Congress party added Gandhiji's name before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections as part of vote-bank politics.

The minister said that the Modi government had not weakened MGNREGA, but rather strengthened it, and implemented several historic schemes for rural India. He mentioned the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Ayushman Bharat, stating that these schemes have translated Gandhiji's ideals into reality by providing concrete houses, gas connections, sanitation, and healthcare facilities.

Bill Passed After Eight Hours of Debate

After a long debate lasting approximately eight hours, the bill was passed by a voice vote. Even after this, opposition MPs continued their protest, chanting slogans in the well of the House and throwing papers towards the Speaker's chair. Seeing the situation, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House for the entire day.

Protest in Parliament Premises

In protest against the bill, the opposition held a march in the Parliament premises, which included more than 50 MPs. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called it an insult to Gandhiji and an attack on the right to work in rural India. Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi also participated in the protest at Makar Dwar.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the government of arbitrarily changing the names of schemes and said that this bill would weaken MGNREGA.

What is special about the new bill? Under the new law, every rural household will be guaranteed 125 days of wage employment per year, exceeding the current 100-day guarantee under MGNREGA. Adult members will be able to voluntarily apply for unskilled manual work.

States will have to adapt their schemes to the new provisions within six months of the law coming into effect. The government claims that this bill is aligned with the 'Developed India 2047' vision and will focus on water security, rural infrastructure, and livelihood-related works.

Opposition's Objections

The opposition argues that this new law will increase central control, impose an additional financial burden on states, and could weaken the existing employment guarantee scheme.