Wed Dec 17 05:26:44 UTC 2025: Headline: Parliament Erupts as Government Moves to Replace MGNREGA with VB-G RAM G Bill

New Delhi, December 17, 2025 – The Lok Sabha witnessed a tumultuous session today as the Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, introduced the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025. The bill, intended to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), sparked immediate and vocal protests from opposition MPs.

Proceedings began with the laying of papers by various ministers after Question Hour. Speaker Om Birla also led the House in a moment of silence to honor the memory of former Lok Sabha MP Dr. Ram Vilas Vedanti.

The introduction of the VB-G RAM G Bill follows the passage of a bill yesterday that seeks to raise Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the insurance sector to 100%. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman argued that increased FDI would foster competition and make insurance more accessible to all by 2047, under the “Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha” initiative.

However, the atmosphere turned confrontational with the introduction of the VB-G RAM G Bill. Opposition members voiced strong concerns that the new bill could weaken employment rights for the poor and demanded it be sent for further scrutiny. Protesting members marched from the Lok Sabha chamber to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue within the Parliament premises. The bill will be debated later today.

The heated debate underscores the significant political divide over the future of rural employment guarantee programs in India.

Read More