In Rajya Sabha, Opposition flags lack of consultations before tabling new rural jobs Bill

The Opposition parties flagged the lack of consultations before introducing the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, asking the government to table evidence of discussions held with State governments before increasing their financial liability.

They also invoked the example of the three farm laws, which they said were passed under similar circumstances and later withdrawn after a prolonged farmers’ agitation. This Bill will also face the same fate, they said.

The Rajya Sabha began deliberations on the legislation at 6.50 p.m. The debate concluded past Friday midnight (December 19, 2025) with the House passing it by a voice vote amid vociferous protests.

Congress MP Mukul Wasnik opened the Opposition’s attack. Mr. Wasnik said that the MGNREGA was passed unanimously after undergoing parliamentary scrutiny and extensive consultations. He asked, “Can the government say the same thing about this legislation?” He said that the Bill was introduced just three days before the last day of the Winter Session. He asked, “Did you speak to the State governments before increasing their financial liability? Were they taken into confidence? And if it has been done, can the government table those consultations in the House?”

RJD leader Manoj K. Jha said the MGNREGA was the closest approximation to the right to work as enshrined under Article 41 of the Indian Constitution. The new Bill, he said, was striking at the very soul of this Article.

AIADMK MP M. Thambidurai, while appreciating the increase in work-day entitlements from 100 days to 125 days, criticised the government for increasing the burden on State governments. If States are to bear 40% of the cost of the scheme as the new legislation lays down, he said, then States should also get 100% of taxes and other cess that the Centre collects.

Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya of the CPI(M) said the blackout period introduced in the legislation will rob the bargaining power of the rural poor, forcing them to work for minimum wages. The legislation allows for pausing the scheme during peak agricultural periods.