- By Aditya Jha
- Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:23 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government is set to scrap the rural employment scheme Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (MGNREGA). The centre is likely to introduce Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) VB-G RAM G BILL, 2025, in an attempt to achieve the target of rural development by 2047. The scheme will ensure 125 days of employment in a financial year to the adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual work. The labour force is likely to be utilised for several purposes, including development of infrastructure projects in the rural regions and agricultural works.
VB-G RAM G Bill: 5 Key Changes
1. Number of guaranteed employment days
The bill has proposed a guarantee of 125 working days in a calendar year to the employees. Earlier during the MGNREGA, the workers were given employment of 100 days.
2. State and centre to share funding of the new bill
One of the key proposed changes is that the wage will now be shared by both the central and state governments. Earlier under MGNREGA, the full wage was being paid by the central government. The centre has stated that the cost-sharing ratio between centre and the state will be 60:40; however, the centre will pay 90 per cent of the total cost for the northeastern and hilly states.
3. 'State-wise normative allocation'
The bill introduces "normative allocation" to determine the limit of funding to the states based on objective criteria. Earlier under MGNREGA, the budget was allocated based on expected demand, and the extra wage was paid by the centre.
4. Pause during agriculture season
The new bill has proposed to pause the scheme for 60 days during the peak agriculture season to ensure availability of labours for the agricultural activities.
5. Wages to be paid weekly
The wages will now be paid weekly, unlike the MGNREGA, under which there was an upper limit of 15 days.