VB-G RAM G Bill Assented; 125 Rural Workdays Guaranteed
VB-G RAM G Bill Assented; 125 Rural Workdays Guaranteed
President approves VB-G RAM G Bill, expanding rural job guarantees to 125 days with new protections and a focus on infrastructure and resilience.
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday (December 21, 2025) gave her assent to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G Ram G) Bill, which replaces the erstwhile flagship 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 Centre said. There are also provisions for unemployment allowance if work cannot be provided and strengthened penalties for delays in wage payments, with a budget of ₹1,51,282 crore reserved under the Sampooran vikas (comprehensive development) of villages.
Why the government says this matters: the note from the Press Information Bureau explains that VB-G Ram G is designed to shift from creating works to delivering outcomes. Projects under the new scheme will be undertaken across four focus areas — water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and extreme weather mitigation. The Centre remains the principal funding partner, following the 60:40 model in nearly all Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
Reaction and context: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released a video message defending the new legislation, saying VB-G Ram G is a step forward from MGNREGA and highlighting the heightened protections and guaranteed work days. The bill’s opponents have criticized the move as a renaming of MGNREGA and raised concerns over the financial burden on states. Proponents say the government is prioritizing measurable outcomes and long-term rural development while ensuring timely wages and unemployment support.
In the political arena, the move has sparked debate about Gandhi’s legacy and the perception of dismantling the older program. The government has framed theVB-G Ram G as part of a broader vision for developing rural India by aligning employment guarantees with broader development outcomes and resilience against climate risks.
Overall, the assent marks a major shift in how rural employment is guaranteed and measured, with higher guaranteed days, new protections for workers, and a strategic emphasis on water, infrastructure, livelihoods, and climate resilience.
