Government tables Bill to replace MGNREGA amid protests

The government on Tuesday (December 16, 2025) introduced the c (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, which seeks to replace the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), amid Opposition protests. Members marched from the Lok Sabha chamber to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue on the Parliament premises, demanding the Bill be sent for further scrutiny.

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Introducing the Bill, Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “The (Narendra) Modi government has done more for rural development than previous governments. We not only believe in Mahatma Gandhi but also follow his principles… We will fully develop the village and work to establish a balance between agriculture and labour… This entire Bill is in line with Gandhiji’s sentiments and is meant to establish Ram Rajya.”

Opposition leaders strongly objected with the DMK’s T.R. Baalu saying, “The father of the nation is being ridiculed.”

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called MGNREGA a “revolutionary Act” which was unanimously supported by Parliament. “This Bill (VB-G RAM G) is weakening the employment rights of the poor. It is against the Constitution,” she said, accusing the government of dismantling the demand-driven architecture of MGNREGA and replacing it with a pre-decided budget. She also flagged centralisation of decision-making. “The new Bill weakens the right-based structure of the MGNREGA,” she said.

Ms. Vadra warned that reducing the Centre’s share of funding from 90% to 60% would hit State finances already strained by GST compensation delays. Proposing that the Bill be sent to a parliamentary panel, she added, “Mahatma Gandhi was not from my family, but he was from every family in the country.”

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always opposed Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas and sought to weaken MGNREGA since coming to power. “Modi ji has a deep hatred for two things — the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi and the rights of the poor,” he said, vowing Congress will oppose any such move.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called the Bill a “retrograde step” and “ill-advised”, criticising the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name. “It strips the Bill of its moral compass and historical legitimacy,” he said. Quoting a 1971 Hindi film song, he said, “Dekho o deewano ye kaam na karo, Ram ka naam badnaam na karo (don’t do this, don’t malign Ram’s name).” Mr. Tharoor argued that shifting liability to States violated fiscal federalism.

The Trinamool Congress’s Saugata Roy demanded the Bill be referred to a select committee. The RSP’s N.K. Premchandran pointed out technical flaws and said States cannot afford the added financial burden.

Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal dismissed the promise of 125 days of work as “hollow”. Addressing Mr. Chouhan, he said, “Your name will be remembered as a Minister who removed Mahatma Gandhi’s name.”

Opposition members stormed the Well of the House, holding photographs of Gandhiji. Amid the din, Mr. Chouhan reiterated that the Bill reflects Gandhian ideals and aims to create “Ram Rajya” in villages. After walking out, Opposition MPs marched to the Mahatma Gandhi statue. Women members raised slogans from the old Parliament building’s balcony. Left parties had earlier staged protests before the sitting began.

The Congress announced nationwide protests on Wednesday. In a letter to State presidents, Mr. Venugopal called for demonstrations at district headquarters. “The combined attack on Gandhiji’s legacy, workers’ rights and federal responsibility exposes a larger BJP-RSS conspiracy to dismantle rights-based welfare and replace it with charity controlled from the Centre.” He called it both a “political and moral struggle”.