NEW DELHI, Dec 21: President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday gave her assent to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G Ram G) Bill, which replaces the erstwhile Congress-led government’s flagship Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
The new Act brings structural changes to the rural job scheme while increasing the number of guaranteed days of work from 100 to 125 days, the Center said. The bill was passed by both houses of Parliament on the last day of the winter session on Thursday.
Amid widespread criticism, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released a video message, defending the new legislation. He also criticized attempts to “mislead” the nation and create “confusion” in the name of MGNREGA.
“Viksit Bharat-G Ram G is a step forward from MGNREGA,” Mr Chouhan said, stressing that the new legislation increases the guaranteed work days from 100 to 125. He also emphasized that provisions for unemployment allowance, in case of failure to provide work, have been strengthened in the new law. There are also provisions for penalty for delay in wages, Mr Chouhan said, adding a budget of ₹1,51,282 crore has been reserved under the scheme for “Sampooran development” (comprehensive development) of villages.
A note shared by the Press Information Bureau said the MGNREGA “created works” while the VB-G Ram G will create “outcomes.” Works under the scheme will be undertaken across four focus areas — water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and extreme climate mitigation.
The Center continues to be the principal funding partner, and the 60:40 model is followed in nearly all Centrally Sponsored Schemes, the note said. Under the MGNREGA, the Center bore the wage bills entirely and States paid for 25% of the administrative cost, resulting in a cost-sharing ratio of 90:10 for all States.
(Rohit Kumar)
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