Gandhi's name removed from MGNREGA: New VB-G RAM G Bill sparks uproar

NEW DELHI: The Centre will introduce a bill in the Lok Sabha today to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which has played a crucial role in rural employment for two decades. The Congress has come out in protest against the omission of Mahatma Gandhi's name in the new name.

The new name will be 'Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)' or VB-G RAM G Act 2025. The Centre claims that it is a plan to achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047. The employment guarantee scheme was implemented in 2005 when Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister.

The wages were entirely from the Centre till now. The state has to bear 40% from now on. The Centre will pay 90% of the wages in Himalayan states. The Centre will pay the entire amount for Union Territories without legislatures. The number of working days will be increased from 100 to 125.

Centre will decide the areas of work.

The employment will be provided in sectors such as water security, basic rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and mitigation of the impact of natural disasters.

Centre will determine the allocation and activities

• The central government will determine the state-wise allocation for each financial year. The amount is currently being allocated as per the needs of the states.
• Labour planning will be allowed at the village level. At the same time, it will be linked to central platforms including PM GatiShakti for project planning and monitoring.
• Misuse of funds is widespread due to lack of unified nature. Irrigation, strengthening groundwater reserves, increasing connectivity to villages, preventing floods, soil conservation, housing construction, electrification, etc. will be identified as key areas.
• Geo-tagging of work places will be monitored to prevent misuse of funds in the name of non-existent work. Mobile app-based attendance for workers. Aadhaar-based payment.
• AI system to prevent fraud, GPS to know work information in real time, mobile-based monitoring, weekly reports, bi-annual social audits by gram panchayats,
• State governments have the power to stop other jobs for up to 60 days during sowing and harvesting seasons. Services should be used for agricultural matters.