Amid Oppn protests, new Bill on rural jobs introduced in LS

Oppn warns of nationwide agitation over 'insult to Gandhi'

- VINAY KUMAR

The Government pushed ahead with a Bill that seeks to guarantee rural jobs for 125 days every year and replace the 20-year-old MNREGA as it was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday amid strong objections by the Opposition to the “removal” of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from it.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while introducing the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAM G) Bill, 2025, said the government not only believes in Mahatma Gandhi but also follows his principles. “The (Narendra) Modi govt has done more for rural development than previous governments,” he said.

Opposition members strongly opposed the proposed legislation at the introduction stage and pressed for sending the Bill to a parliamentary panel for greater scrutiny. The MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi of the Congress, strongly objected to the "removal" of Mahatma Gandhi's name.

Opposing the Bill, T R Baalu of DMK said Mahatma Gandhi lived in villages and worked for the welfare of the poor there. He said then prime minister Manmohan Singh brought the "noble Bill" (MNREGA), which helped the poorest of the poor get 100 days of employment.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra registered her "strong objection" to the draft law, saying MNREGA was a revolutionary Act which was supported by all members of the House when it was passed.

"Under this, the poorest of the poor get 100 days of employment. This (present) Bill is weakening the employment rights of the poor. It is against the Constitution," she claimed.