VB-G RAM G Bill Passed: President Approves VB-G RAM G Bill, Replaces MGNREGA with 125 Days of Rural Employment

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday, December 21, gave her assent to the Viksit Bharat-Gramin Rojgar Aur Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Guarantee Bill, 2025 (VB-G RAM G). With this crucial approval, the bill has now officially become law, poised. To transform the landscape of employment and livelihood security in rural India. This new legislation is set to replace the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment. Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), aiming to enhance employment opportunities and strengthen income security in rural areas.

The New Law and Its Vision

The Viksit Bharat-Gramin Rojgar Aur Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Guarantee Bill, 2025, commonly referred to as the VB-G RAM G Bill, had previously been passed by both houses of Parliament, while following the President's assent, it's now legally binding. According to the Union Ministry of Rural Development, this law has been formulated in alignment with the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Its primary objective is to bolster income security in rural regions while simultaneously fostering the creation of sustainable and productive assets. The government aims to promote inclusive and balanced development through this legislation, providing a new direction for the rural economy.

Increased Employment Days and Implementation

Under the provisions of the new law, rural households will. Be guaranteed 125 days of statutory wage employment per financial year. This marks a significant increase compared to the 100 days of employment previously mandated under MGNREGA. This enhancement will provide rural workers with more days of work and income, thereby improving their economic conditions. The government is preparing to implement this proposed law from April 1, 2026, while this implementation will usher in a new era of employment guarantee in rural India, directly benefiting millions of families.

Wage Payment and Compensation Mechanisms

As per the provisions of the VB-G RAM G law, it will be the statutory responsibility of the government to provide a minimum of 125 days of employment to interested rural households, while Also, clear rules have been established regarding wage payments. It has been made mandatory to disburse wages weekly or within a maximum period of 15 days. This will ensure that workers receive their remuneration in a timely manner. On top of that, if payment isn't made within the stipulated timeframe for any reason, there is also a provision for compensation for the delay.

This provision will protect workers' rights and help ensure prompt payment. The bill was passed in Parliament last Thursday amidst opposition protests. During the debate on the bill, Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan accused the Congress of betraying Mahatma Gandhi's ideals, while asserting that the Modi government has kept those ideals alive. The Minister outright rejected the opposition's allegations regarding replacing the MGNREGA scheme with a new bill and removing Mahatma Gandhi's name from it, while he clarified that the new law aims to make rural development and employment more effective, rather than removing any name.