Centre to replace MGNREGA as President clears VB-G RAM G Bill for Lok Sabha

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu has recommended the introduction of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, according to the latest parliamentary bulletin issued late Sunday night.

The recommendation has been made under Article 117(1) of the Constitution, which mandates Presidential approval for the introduction of certain categories of legislation, including money Bills.

The President has also granted permission for the consideration of the Bill under Article 117(3), signalling the government’s intent to move the proposed law through Parliament.

While the contents of the VB-G RAM G Bill are not immediately known, the title of the legislation suggests that it pertains to guarantees for rural employment and livelihood support. There is widespread speculation that the Bill may deal with, amend, or replace the existing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), which currently governs the MGNREGA scheme.

In recent months, reports have also suggested that MGNREGA could be renamed as the ‘Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana’, though no official confirmation on the renaming has yet been issued.

From its nomenclature, the proposed Bill appears to align with the government’s broader Viksit Bharat vision. Notably, this is the second draft legislation to include ‘Viksit Bharat’ in its title, following the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, which seeks to merge multiple higher education regulatory bodies into a single institution.

In a related development, President Murmu has also recommended the introduction of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025 (SHANTI Bill, 2025) in the Lok Sabha. The SHANTI Bill has similarly been recommended under Article 117(1) of the Constitution.

Article 117 of the Constitution makes it clear that a money Bill cannot be introduced or moved without the recommendation of the President, and such Bills cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.

Further clarity on the scope, provisions, and impact of the VB-G RAM G Bill is expected once the legislation is formally tabled in the Lok Sabha.