Viksit Bharat - G RAM G Bill 2025
Context:
The Lok sabha passed the Viksit Bharat- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025.
This new statutory framework is designed to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), aiming to align rural employment with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047
Key Objectives:
The Bill seeks to reposition rural employment from a mere safety net to a strategic instrument for sustainable growth and resilient livelihoods.
It aims to address the structural weaknesses of the previous MGNREGA system while building on its successes in participation and digitization.
Key Features and Changes:
The Bill increases the guaranteed wage employment to 125 days per rural household per financial year.
Provision for unemployment allowance after 15 days of unmet work demand is retained, safeguarding workers’ rights.
States are mandated to notify an aggregated no-work period of up to 60 days during peak sowing and harvesting seasons
It explicitly links wage employment with the creation of durable rural infrastructure across four priority areas.
Water security
Core rural infrastructure
Livelihood-related infrastructure
Mitigation of extreme weather events
The framework strengthens decentralized planning through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans.
Panchayati Raj Institutions as the primary implementing agencies, with Gram Panchayats executing at least half of the works.
Gram Sabhas play an enhanced role in social audits, conducted at least once every six months.
Funding Model:
Cost-sharing ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and states (90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan states; 100% central funding for Union Territories without legislatures)
The Bill introduces a shift to normative funding and a centrally sponsored structure to improve predictability, accountability, and the Centre-State partnership.