A major policy shift proposed by the Centre during the Winter Session of Parliament has sparked sharp political reactions. The government has introduced a new Bill that seeks to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a redesigned rural employment framework called the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grameen), commonly referred to as G Ram G. While the government presents the move as a step toward its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, the opposition has accused it of sidelining Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and avoiding urgent governance issues.
What Is the G Ram G Scheme and Why Is It Being Introduced?
According to the Centre, the G Ram G scheme aims to modernise rural employment by expanding opportunities and improving accountability. Unlike MGNREGA, which guarantees 100 days of work annually, the new framework proposes increasing the guarantee to 125 days. In addition, the Bill promises faster wage payments, with money credited within 7 to 15 days after work completion. If payments are delayed, workers would become eligible for an unemployment allowance.
The proposed scheme also restructures the nature of work. Projects will fall under four broad categories: water security, rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure, and disaster resilience. To avoid disrupting farming activities, work will not be scheduled during peak agricultural seasons. Furthermore, the government plans to use biometric authentication and geotagging to ensure transparency, along with multi-level grievance redressal mechanisms.
Key Funding Changes Raise Questions for States
One of the most significant changes involves funding. Under MGNREGA, the Centre pays the full wages for unskilled labour, while states contribute toward skilled labour and material costs. However, under G Ram G, expenses will largely follow a 60:40 Centre–state sharing model. Northeastern and Himalayan states will receive a 90:10 ratio, while Union territories will receive full central funding.
Out of an estimated annual expenditure of ₹1.51 lakh crore, the Centre would contribute around ₹95,692 crore. Critics argue that this shift could place added financial pressure on states already facing budget constraints.
Opposition Slams Name Change and Government Priorities
The Congress has strongly objected to removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the rural job guarantee scheme. Senior leaders questioned the intent behind the rebranding, arguing that the change would lead to unnecessary administrative costs and paperwork. They also accused the government of prioritising symbolic changes over addressing issues such as delayed payments and expanding employment days under the existing system.
Opposition MPs further claimed that Parliament time and public money were being wasted, while pressing concerns affecting rural workers remained unresolved. The debate is expected to intensify as the Bill moves forward for discussion and passage.
