President Approves Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rural Employment Bill

President Murmu approves VB-G RAM G Bill, aiming to replace MGNREGA.

Photo by Markus Spiske

President Droupadi Murmu has granted assent to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill (VB-G RAM G), 2025. This bill aims to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, and introduce a new rural jobs program. The VB-G RAM G Bill provides a statutory wage employment guarantee of 125 days every financial year for rural households. The Ministry of Law and Justice published the notification in the official gazette on Sunday.

Key Facts

President Murmu approved VB-G RAM G Bill

VB-G RAM G Bill aims to repeal MGNREGA

New bill guarantees 125 days of wage employment

UPSC Exam Angles

Constitutional powers of the President (assent to bills)

Legislative process (repealing an Act, enacting a new one)

Comparison of social welfare schemes (MGNREGA vs. VB-G RAM G)

Rural development and poverty alleviation strategies

Role of statutory bodies and ministries in governance

Fiscal federalism and funding of central schemes

Visual Insights

Legislative Journey: Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rural Employment Bill, 2025

This flowchart illustrates the typical legislative process a Bill undergoes in the Union Parliament, culminating in Presidential assent, as seen with the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025.

1.Introduction of Bill in Parliament (Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha)
2.First Reading (Introduction, Publication in Gazette)
3.Second Reading (General Discussion, Committee Stage, Clause-by-Clause Consideration)
4.Third Reading (Voting on Bill as a whole)
5.Passage in First House
6.Bill sent to Second House for Consideration & Passage
7.Passage in Second House (or Joint Sitting for deadlock)
8.Presidential Assent (Article 111) - President Droupadi Murmu approves VB-G RAM G Bill
9.Bill becomes an Act & Published in Official Gazette by Ministry of Law and Justice

MGNREGA: Key Performance Indicators & Context (2022-2025)

This dashboard provides a snapshot of MGNREGA's recent performance, highlighting key metrics that may have influenced the decision to replace it with the VB-G RAM G Bill.

Person-days Generated: ~285 Crore-5% (YoY)
Women's Participation: ~58%+1% (YoY)
Average Wage Rate (per day): ₹250-300 (varies by state)+~5% (YoY)
Expenditure (Central Govt.): ~₹88,000 Crore+~3% (YoY)
Households Completed 100 Days: ~15%Stable

More Information

Background

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), enacted in 2005, has been a flagship social welfare program in India, guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do unskilled manual work. It aimed at enhancing livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. Over the years, MGNREGA has faced both praise for its poverty alleviation and asset creation potential, and criticism regarding implementation challenges, wage delays, corruption, and asset quality.

Latest Developments

President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill (VB-G RAM G), 2025. This new legislation is set to repeal MGNREGA, 2005, and introduce a new rural jobs program.

A key feature of the VB-G RAM G Bill is the provision of a statutory wage employment guarantee of 125 days every financial year for rural households, an increase from MGNREGA's 100 days. The Ministry of Law and Justice has published the official notification, marking a significant policy shift in rural employment guarantee.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. With reference to the recent Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill (VB-G RAM G), 2025, consider the following statements: 1. The Bill aims to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005. 2. It provides a statutory wage employment guarantee of 125 days every financial year for rural households. 3. The notification for its enactment was published by the Ministry of Rural Development. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.1 and 2 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is correct as the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025, explicitly aims to repeal MGNREGA, 2005. Statement 2 is correct as the new bill guarantees 125 days of wage employment, an increase from MGNREGA's 100 days. Statement 3 is incorrect; the summary states that the Ministry of Law and Justice published the notification in the official gazette, not the Ministry of Rural Development.

2. In the context of the legislative process in India, which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding the President's assent to a Bill? A) The President can withhold assent to a Bill passed by both Houses of Parliament. B) The President can return a Money Bill for reconsideration by Parliament. C) The President can return a Bill (other than a Money Bill) for reconsideration by Parliament. D) Once the President gives assent, the Bill becomes an Act and is published in the Official Gazette.

A.The President can withhold assent to a Bill passed by both Houses of Parliament.
B.The President can return a Money Bill for reconsideration by Parliament.
C.The President can return a Bill (other than a Money Bill) for reconsideration by Parliament.
D.Once the President gives assent, the Bill becomes an Act and is published in the Official Gazette.

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement A is correct (absolute veto). Statement C is correct (suspensive veto). Statement D is correct, as seen in the news where the Ministry of Law and Justice published the notification after presidential assent. Statement B is incorrect; the President cannot return a Money Bill for reconsideration. The President can either give assent or withhold assent to a Money Bill, but cannot send it back for reconsideration.

3. Consider the following statements regarding employment guarantee schemes in India: 1. The concept of 'Right to Work' is explicitly enshrined as a Fundamental Right under the Indian Constitution. 2. Social audits are a mandatory component of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). 3. The primary objective of such schemes is to provide employment only during periods of drought or natural calamity. 4. Funding for central employment guarantee schemes is typically shared between the Central and State governments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 3 only
B.2 and 4 only
C.1, 2 and 4 only
D.2, 3 and 4 only

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is incorrect. The 'Right to Work' is a Directive Principle of State Policy (Article 41), not an explicitly enshrined Fundamental Right. Statement 2 is correct; social audits are a crucial and mandatory feature of MGNREGA to ensure transparency and accountability. Statement 3 is incorrect; while employment guarantee schemes can provide relief during calamities, their primary objective is broader, aiming at livelihood security and rural development throughout the year. Statement 4 is correct; central schemes like MGNREGA (and likely VB-G RAM G) typically involve a cost-sharing mechanism between the Centre and States for wages and material components.