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The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on December 16 and was passed, two days later, on December 18. In Rajya Sabha, it was passed on December 19.

President Droupadi Murmu grants assent to VB-G RAM G BillPresident Droupadi Murmu

President of India Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 and provide for a new rural job programme with the statutory wage employment guarantee of 125 days per financial year.

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The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on December 16 and was passed, two days later, on December 18. In Rajya Sabha, it was passed on December 19.

short article insert With the presidential assent, it now becomes the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025. On Sunday, the Ministry of Law and Justice published a notification in the official gazette, declaring that the President gave her assent on December 20. While the government has notified the Act in the gazette, it shall come into force on such date as the Central government may, by notification, appoint.

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As per the Section 3(1) of the Act, the State government shall within six months from the date of commencement of this Act, by notification, make a scheme consistent with the provisions of this Act and the features provided therein.

The Congress party and other Opposition parties have opposed the enactment of the VB-G RAM G Bill. On Saturday, Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi said that the MGNREGA was bulldozed in Parliament and that she was ready to “counter this attack”.

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Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan defended the provisions of the new legislation and said that labourers now have a legal guarantee of 125 days of work, not just 100.

‘The provision for unemployment allowance in case of failure to provide work has been further strengthened. There is also a provision for providing additional compensation if wages are delayed,” he said.

“With the guarantee of 125 days of employment, provisions have also been made to ensure that small farmers do not face difficulties during agricultural work. This law is in the interest of the poor, in the interest of development, and it provides a complete guarantee of employment for laborers. It fulfills the commitment to building developed villages for a developed India,” he said.