MGNREGA vs. The New VB-G RAM G Bill
Context:
The Union government is set to introduce the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee For Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Bill to replace the MGNREGA, 2005.
This move marks a fundamental shift from a rights-based framework to a supply-driven scheme aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Salient Features of MGNREGA (2005)
It provided a legal right to work, guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment per financial year to every rural household willing to do unskilled manual work.
The scheme was demand-based; if work was not provided within 15 days of application, the state was liable to pay an unemployment allowance.
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) had a significant role in planning and implementing works.
Key Changes in the New Bill:
The Bill proposes increasing the guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125 days.
The fund-sharing pattern shifts from the previous practice of 90:10 to 60:40 between the Centre and States.
However, the 90:10 ratio is retained for North-Eastern and Himalayan states/UTs.
Unlike the open-ended funding of MGNREGA, the new Bill caps allocations based on objective parameters set by the Centre, giving the Centre greater control over where and how funds are spent.
The Bill allows the programme to be paused during peak agricultural seasons to facilitate availability of labour.
Technological interventions like mobile app-based attendance and geotagging of worksites are now codified into law.