VB-G RAM G Act comes into force today; Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan calls rollout "historic day"
Itanagar, July 1
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday described the coming into force of the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission Act, 2025 as a "historic day", as the new rural employment and development framework officially replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, across the country from today.
Union Minister Chouhan, while speaking to ANI, said that the new framework marks a significant upgrade over the earlier employment guarantee programme.
Explaining the launch and expanded employment guarantee under the new scheme, he said, "Today is a historic day. Yesterday marked the conclusion of MGNREGA. A scheme superior to MGNREGA, which provides for 125 days of employment instead of 100, has come into effect today: VB-G RAM G."
Underlining financial allocation and decentralised planning through Gram Panchayats, he further added, "I am happy to state that all states have made budgetary provisions for it, and the Central Government has allocated over ₹95,600 crore for VB-G RAM G this year. Gram Panchayats will formulate effective plans; the brothers and sisters of the village will collectively decide which works are to be undertaken in their village. Developed villages will be built to pave the way for a developed India."
The Ministry of Rural Development, in a notification issued earlier, confirmed the nationwide implementation of the new law. With its enforcement, MGNREGA stands repealed, marking what the government termed a structural shift towards an "integrated, future-ready and productivity-oriented rural transformation" aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. The Centre has allocated over ₹95,600 crore for the scheme in the current financial year.
"With the coming into force of the VB-G RAM G Act, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, stand repealed from the same date. This marks a historic transition in India's rural development framework and ushers in a new era of integrated, future-ready and productivity-oriented rural transformation aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047," the release said.
The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act was passed in the Winter Session of Parliament in 2025 and replaces the 100-day employment guarantee with a 125-day guarantee. However, the Opposition has criticised the legislation for removing Mahatma Gandhi's name from the scheme and altering the 60:40 share of funds between the Centre and states.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Happy to see more employment days, but why remove Gandhiji's name? MGNREGA was a legacy scheme that gave dignity to rural workers. The name change feels unnecessary—focus on delivery, not rebranding. Still, ₹95,600 crore allocation is substantial. Let's hope Gram Panchayats plan wisely. 🇮🇳
A structural shift indeed! The "Viksit Bharat" vision is ambitious. But I worry about the fund-sharing change—if states now have to contribute more, will poorer states like Bihar or Uttar Pradesh struggle to match? Need clarity on this. Also, 125 days is good, but we should aim for skill training alongside employment. 💪
Finally, a scheme that promotes decentralized planning through Gram Panchayats! That's the real game-changer. Villagers know their needs best. But let's ensure Panchayats have the technical support to make quality plans—not just political agendas. Historic day, yes, but the real test is in the next harvest season 🌾
Opposition criticizes the name change, but let's focus on what matters: more employment days, more funds, and a "future-ready" approach. The old MGNREGA had its flaws—delayed wages, corruption. If this new act addresses those, I'm all for it. Let's give it a fair chance, ji. 😊
As someone from a rural background, I welcome this. But the 60:40 fund ratio change is concerning—states like Jharkhand already face fiscal crunches. The Center should ensure no state
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