### The Shift from MGNREGA: A New Era in Rural Employment with VB-G RAM G Bill The Indian government is poised to introduce the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, which aims to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) of 2005. This significant legislative change is framed within the broader vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047," which seeks to modernize rural employment frameworks and enhance infrastructure development. The new bill proposes to increase the guaranteed employment days from 100 to 125 annually, while also introducing new funding norms and digital governance measures, including the use of biometrics and AI for monitoring [https://www.timesnownews.com/india/is-mahatma-gandhi-national-rural-employment-guarantee-act-set-to-be-replaced-government-plans-new-law-promising-125-days-employment-article-153295387, https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/whats-the-g-ram-g-bill-that-will-replace-mnrega-13960038.html]. ### Structure of the Proposed VB-G RAM G Bill 1. **Employment Guarantee**: The bill guarantees 125 days of wage employment for rural households, a notable increase from the previous 100 days under MGNREGA [https://www.republicworld.com/india/more-work-days-weekly-wages-mgnrega-set-for-an-overhaul-five-key-changes-govt-proposes-in-new-rural-job-guarantee-bill-explained]. 2. **Funding and Fiscal Responsibility**: The new framework requires states to share a greater fiscal burden, which has raised concerns about the financial implications for state governments [https://www.deccanchronicle.com/govt-to-repeal-mgnrega-to-bring-new-rural-employment-scheme]. 3. **Digital Governance**: The bill mandates the use of technology, including GPS and mobile monitoring, to enhance transparency and efficiency in the implementation of rural employment schemes [https://theprint.in/india/centre-to-table-viksit-bharat-guarantee-for-rozgar-ajeevil-mission-bill-to-replace-mgnrega/2805988]. 4. **Political Reactions**: The proposal has sparked political debate, particularly regarding the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme, with opposition parties questioning the rationale behind this change [https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/why-removing-gandhi-s-name-mgnrega-renaming-sparks-row/story]. 5. **Criticism and Concerns**: Critics argue that the new bill centralizes control and may limit the demand-driven nature of employment guarantees, potentially undermining workers' rights [https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/new-wage-programme-set-to-replace-mgnrega-no-longer-demand-driven-critics-warn]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Increased Employment Days**: The proposed bill increases the guaranteed workdays from 100 to **125**, enhancing the employment security for rural households [https://scroll.in/latest/1089308/centre-to-introduce-vb-g-ram-g-bill-to-replace-mgnregs]. - **State Financial Contributions**: The new funding model requires states to contribute more financially, which could strain state budgets [https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/mgnrega-to-be-scrapped-govt-may-circulate-bill-promising-125-days-rural-work-under-new-viksit-bharat-scheme-13725098.html]. - **Technological Integration**: The bill emphasizes the use of **AI and digital tools** for monitoring and transparency, aiming to modernize rural employment schemes [https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-set-to-scrap-mgnrega-to-bring-viksit-bharat-g-ram-g-101765775611170.html]. ### Conclusion: A Transformative Shift in Rural Employment Policy The introduction of the VB-G RAM G Bill represents a **significant shift** in India's approach to rural employment, aiming to align with the national vision of a developed India by 2047. 1. **Increased Employment Security**: The guarantee of 125 days of work is a positive step towards enhancing rural livelihoods. 2. **Financial Implications**: The increased fiscal responsibility for states raises concerns about the sustainability of the program. 3. **Technological Advancements**: The integration of digital governance could improve transparency but also raises questions about accessibility and implementation. 4. **Political and Social Reactions**: The removal of Gandhi's name has sparked controversy, reflecting broader societal sentiments about the legacy of rural employment initiatives. In summary, while the VB-G RAM G Bill aims to modernize and enhance rural employment, it also faces scrutiny regarding its implications for state finances and the rights of workers [https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/govt-under-fire-over-new-rural-employment-bill-opposition-asks-why-mahatma-gandhis-name-dropped].