VB-G RAM G Bill 2025: The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), popularly known as the VB-G RAM G Bill 2025, has marked a significant shift in India’s rural employment landscape. Passed in the Lok Sabha amid intense political debate and opposition protests, the bill seeks to redefine how rural employment and livelihood security are structured in the country. The legislation replaces the long-standing rural employment programme that had been in place for nearly two decades and introduces several structural and ideological changes aligned with the government’s long-term development vision.
Since 2005, rural employment in India has largely been shaped by a scheme that guaranteed a fixed number of wage employment days to rural households. That programme played a crucial role in providing income security, especially during periods of agricultural distress and economic slowdown. Over the years, it became one of the most expansive social security initiatives in rural India.
The VB-G RAM G Bill 2025 aims to replace this framework with a revised mission that, according to the government, is better suited to contemporary rural needs. One of the most notable changes introduced by the bill is the increase in guaranteed wage employment days from 100 to 125 days per rural household. The government has presented this as a move towards stronger livelihood assurance and enhanced rural resilience.
The central government has positioned the VB-G RAM G Bill as a cornerstone of its broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. The stated objective is to move beyond short-term wage support and focus on sustainable livelihoods, skill development, and long-term economic empowerment in rural areas.
According to official statements, the new mission is designed to integrate rural employment with infrastructure creation, asset building, and local economic growth. The emphasis is on creating durable community assets while ensuring consistent income opportunities for rural families. The government argues that this approach will help rural India become more self-reliant and economically stable in the coming decades.
The passage of the bill was accompanied by strong resistance from opposition parties. The debate in the Lok Sabha extended for nearly fourteen hours, reflecting the depth of disagreement surrounding the legislation. Opposition leaders accused the government of undermining the spirit of the previous employment guarantee framework and weakening its demand-driven nature.
A major point of contention was the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme. Opposition members described this as an ideological attack and a disregard for the legacy associated with rural empowerment and social justice. Protests inside the House, including symbolic acts such as tearing copies of the bill, highlighted the intensity of the opposition’s stance.
In response to the criticism, the Rural Development Minister strongly defended both the renaming and the restructuring of the scheme. He argued that the government remains deeply committed to the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and that true adherence to those ideals lies in effective action rather than symbolic naming.
The minister highlighted various welfare initiatives as examples of how Gandhian values are being implemented in practice. Programmes focused on housing, sanitation, clean cooking fuel, and healthcare were cited as evidence that the current administration is prioritising dignity, self-sufficiency, and social welfare for the underprivileged.
Another significant concern raised by opposition leaders relates to the financial and administrative structure of the new bill. Critics argue that the legislation centralises decision-making while gradually shifting financial responsibility to state governments. According to them, this could strain state resources and weaken the effectiveness of the programme over time.
Some opposition members have warned that these changes may eventually reduce the scope of rural employment guarantees, particularly in economically weaker states. They demanded that the bill be referred to a Standing Committee or a Joint Parliamentary Committee for detailed examination, a request that was ultimately not accepted before its passage.
The VB-G RAM G Bill 2025 represents a turning point in India’s approach to rural employment and livelihood security. Supporters see it as a forward-looking reform that aligns rural development with national growth goals. Critics, however, fear that it may dilute the core protections that rural households have relied upon for years.
As the bill moves towards implementation, its real impact will depend on execution, funding mechanisms, and coordination between the central and state governments. For millions of rural families, the success or failure of this mission will directly influence income stability, employment opportunities, and overall quality of life.
