Viksit Bharat G RAM G Bill Passed  in Lok Sabha

On 18 December 2025, the Lok Sabha passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, amid protests, chaos, and just eight hours of parliamentary debate. The Bill aims to reform rural employment and livelihood schemes, effectively replacing provisions under MGNREGA.

Why a New Bill Was Introduced

The government argues that while MGNREGA helped reduce rural distress, it needs restructuring to,

• Support long-term rural productivity
• Align employment with infrastructure creation
• Integrate technology for transparency
• Match India’s development goals under Viksit Bharat 2047

Objectives of the VB-G RAM G Bill

• Expand employment opportunities in rural areas
• Shift focus from short-term relief to long-term livelihood assets
• Improve governance through technology
• Integrate rural works with national infrastructure planning
• Ensure better targeting of vulnerable groups

Major Changes Proposed in the Bill

1. Increased Employment Guarantee

• Guaranteed workdays increased from 100 to 125 days per household annually
• Marks a 25% increase in employment entitlement

2. Agricultural Pause

• Introduces a 60-day pause during peak sowing and harvesting seasons
• States can notify pauses based on local cropping patterns
• Aim: ensure labour availability for agriculture

3. New Cost-Sharing Formula

• Scheme becomes a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)

Funding pattern:

• 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States/UTs
• 60:40 for other States
• 100% Centre funding for UTs without legislatures

4. Normative Budget Allocations

• Replaces demand-driven labour budgets with state-wise capped allocations
• Any expenditure beyond the allocation must be borne by states
• Marks a shift away from open-ended funding

5. Technology-Based Governance

• Creation of Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack
• Integration with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan

Features include,

• Biometric attendance
• AI-based fraud detection
• GPS tracking of works
• Weekly public data disclosure

Key Concerns Raised

Fiscal Burden on States: Poorer states with higher rural poverty may struggle under the 60:40 cost-sharing model.

Rights vs Budget Caps: Capped allocations weaken the demand-driven, rights-based nature of employment guarantees.

Digital Access Issues

Biometric and digital systems may exclude vulnerable workers due to,

• Poor connectivity
• Device failures
• Fingerprint mismatches
• Agricultural Pause Risks

Landless labourers may lose income if agricultural work is unavailable during pause periods.

Implementation Challenges: Historically, average employment under MGNREGA has been 45–55 days, far below the promised 100 days.

Positive Aspects of the Bill

• Focus on durable, climate-resilient assets
• Better integration with national infrastructure planning
• Promotion of livelihood assets like markets and warehouses
• Faster wage payments (weekly cycle)
• Higher penalties (up to ₹10,000) for violations
• Special focus on vulnerable groups such as single women, elderly, disabled persons, and transgender individuals

Background: What is MGNREGA

MGNREGA is a rights-based rural employment programme that guarantees at least 100 days of wage employment per year to rural households willing to do unskilled manual work.

Key features of MGNREGA include,

• Demand-driven employment generation
• Decentralised planning through Panchayati Raj Institutions
• Creation of durable rural assets (roads, water conservation, etc.)
• Emphasis on transparency, social audits, and inclusion of women and marginalised groups

Key Takeaways

• VB-G RAM G Bill Passed in Lok Sabha
• VB-G RAM G Bill replaces MGNREGA
• Employment guarantee increased to 125 days
• Introduces agricultural pause and budget caps
• Strong push for technology-driven governance
• Balances long-term development goals with short-term rural livelihoods

Question

Q. The VB-G RAM G Bill increases the guaranteed employment days for rural households from 100 to how many days?

(A) 110 days
(B) 120 days
(C) 125 days
(D) 150 days