While sharing an important information on Sunday, the Ministry of Rural Development said that President Draupadi Murmu has given his assent to the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025. With the approval of the President, the way has been cleared for implementing a new framework related to rural employment in the country.
What does the government say?
This new law will replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) implemented till now and is set to bring major changes in the rural employment system. This bill was passed during the recently concluded winter session of Parliament. Its formal name is ‘Developed India Guaranteed Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Bill’. The government says that the objective of this new law is to make employment opportunities in rural areas more effective, transparent and long-term, so that the livelihood of the people living in villages can be strengthened.
However, when the bill was passed by the Parliament, the opposition had strongly opposed it. Opposition parties especially objected to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the name of the law. His argument was that MNREGA is not just an employment scheme but a symbol of social security and removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from it is like weakening his legacy. Apart from this, the opposition also expressed concern that under the new framework, the financial burden on the states may increase, due to which many state governments will have to face financial pressure.
According to the proposal presented by the government, under this new rural employment law, 125 days of salaried employment per family will be guaranteed every year in rural areas. The government claims that this system will increase employment opportunities as well as give impetus to the rural economy. Besides, livelihood related skill development and means of permanent employment will also be linked to this mission.
Opposition raised questions
The opposition also raised questions on this provision guaranteeing 125 days of employment. He says that under the current MNREGA, a legal guarantee of 100 days of employment already exists, but in many places it is not being implemented properly. In such a situation, it was more important to strengthen the existing system rather than bringing a new law.
Now after the approval of the President, the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025 has taken the form of law. Its rules and guidelines will be decided in the coming time, after which it will be implemented across the country. It will be important to see how effective this new rural employment framework proves to be at the ground level and whether it actually improves the livelihoods of rural people.
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