The government introduced the new Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB – G RAM G, Bill in the Lok Sabha to replace the landmark MGNREGA.
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The move instantly triggered an absolute political firestorm, with Opposition MPs raising slogans, walking into the Well, and accusing the government of deliberately weakening the 20-year-old job guarantee scheme.
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Let’s be real. This isn’t just a bureaucratic name change; it’s a fundamental political and financial shift. The ruckus was instant, touching on three massive controversies:
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Dropping the Father of the Nation’s Name: Removing “Mahatma Gandhi” from the title.
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Fund-Sharing Change: Altering the Centre-State funding ratio from the current 90:10 to 60:40.
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The Name: The use of ‘G-RAM-G’, which Opposition leaders suggested was a politically motivated greeting in the name of Lord Ram.
The Breakdown: What’s Changing?
The thing is, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tried to defend the bill, asserting it does not “kill” the employment guarantee but actually raises the guarantee from 100 days to 125 days. That’s the government’s entire defense.
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But the Opposition quickly tore into the math and the messaging. This is where the political warfare intensified:
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Priyanka Gandhi (Congress): She zeroed in on the financial structure. She noted that MGNREGA was radical because the Centre channeled 90% of the funds based on work demand. The new Bill weakens this right because “most States will be expected to give 40 per cent of the funds while central share has been reduced.” She also slammed the “compulsion to change the names of every scheme.”
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Shashi Tharoor (Congress): He called out the logic. Why give 25 extra days of work but simultaneously dump a 40% financial burden onto the States? He even quoted a Bollywood song: “Dekho o deewano tum ye kaam na karo, Ram ka naam badnaam na karo.”
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The Ram Defense: Minister Chouhan defended the ‘G-RAM-G’ abbreviation by saying, “But even Mahatma Gandhi dreamt of Ram Rajya and uttered the words ‘Hey Ram’ when he was assassinated.” It was a bold defense, or nothing.
The core of the issue remains the financial structure. This 60:40 formula is a massive shift, and the Opposition believes this will starve the job scheme of necessary funds, especially in poorer states.
The Bill’s introduction amid an uproar means this fight has just begun…..
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Disclaimer: This article reports on legislative action and political debate. The final provisions of the proposed Bill are subject to parliamentary process, further amendment, and ratification. Citizens are advised to follow official parliamentary updates.
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