Centre moves to replace MGNREGA with 'G Ram G', sets stage for winter session showdown

The proposed legislation, titled the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grameen)—or VB G Ram G—was tabled during the ongoing Winter Session, with the government issuing a whip to ensure the presence of BJP MPs for its passage.

According to the central government, the new framework aligns rural employment guarantees with its long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, marking a shift in both structure and branding of the decades-old scheme.

What the new G Ram G bill proposes

While MGNREGA currently guarantees 100 days of employment annually in rural areas, the new Bill seeks to raise this entitlement to 125 days.

It also introduces stricter timelines for wage payments, mandating that workers be paid within seven to fifteen days of completing assigned work.

In cases of delay, the Bill provides for an unemployment allowance.

The proposed scheme restructures permissible work into four broad categories: water security, rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure and disaster resilience.

It also bars such work during peak agricultural seasons to avoid disrupting farming activities.

To enhance transparency, the Bill emphasises the use of biometric authentication and geotagging, alongside a multi-tier grievance redressal mechanism.

Shift in funding pattern raises questions

One of the most significant departures from MGNREGA lies in its funding structure.

Under the existing scheme, the Centre bears the full cost of unskilled labour wages, while states contribute towards skilled labour and material costs.

Under G Ram G, expenditures will largely be shared between the Centre and states in a 60:40 ratio.

Northeastern and Himalayan states will follow a 90:10 formula, while Union territories will receive full central funding.

Of the proposed annual outlay of Rs 1.51 lakh crore, the Centre’s contribution is pegged at Rs 95,692 crore.

Congress flags name change, targets govt intent

The rebranding of the scheme has drawn sharp criticism from the Congress, which has questioned the decision to drop Mahatma Gandhi’s name.

Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asked what objective the government was pursuing by renaming a programme so closely associated with rural employment security.

She also flagged the additional expenditure involved in changing official documentation and stationery, arguing that Parliament’s time and public money were being wasted while more pressing issues remained undiscussed.

'Problem with Bapu?' Opposition sharpens attack

Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan escalated the attack, suggesting that the ruling BJP had moved from opposing leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi to now sidelining Mahatma Gandhi himself.

She argued that instead of focusing on renaming the scheme, the government should prioritise timely payments to states, extend workdays further and strengthen implementation on the ground.

As the Bill awaits debate and passage, the proposed replacement of MGNREGA with G Ram G appears set to dominate the Winter Session, pitting the Centre’s reform narrative against the Opposition’s charge of symbolic politics.