The central government is preparing to introduce a new legislation to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). According to sources, a draft of the proposed bill has been circulated among Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, signaling the government’s intent to phase out MGNREGA and introduce a new rural employment framework.
The proposed legislation is titled “Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) 2025”, commonly referred to as VB-G RAM G. The bill aims to establish a revamped rural development framework with an enhanced employment guarantee.
As per available information, the new law will provide a constitutional guarantee of 125 days of wage employment per financial year to every rural household. The employment guarantee will apply to families whose young members are willing to undertake unskilled manual work. The bill is expected to be taken up for discussion in the Lok Sabha in the coming days.
The proposed legislation also includes provisions for timely wage payments, mandating that payments be made within 7 to 15 days of completion of work. In case of delays beyond the stipulated period, the bill предусматриes payment of unemployment allowance to the beneficiaries.
Notably, ahead of the bill’s introduction in Parliament, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a whip to its Members of Parliament, directing them to remain present in the Lok Sabha from December 15 to December 19.
