The VB-G Ram G 2025 Bill has officially become law after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent. The new legislation replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act with the Viksit Bharat–Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Grameen).
Parliament passed the bill amid opposition protests earlier this week. With presidential approval, the new framework will now guide rural employment and livelihood support across India.
The government says the law aims to improve transparency, efficiency, and long-term rural development. It guarantees up to 125 days of wage employment every year for eligible rural households. Workers will receive wages weekly or within 15 days of task completion.
The scheme focuses on water conservation, rural infrastructure, livelihood assets, and disaster-resilient projects. Planning will begin at the gram panchayat level and scale up to states.
Digital monitoring, biometric authentication, geo-tagging of work, and mandatory social audits have been introduced. A multi-level grievance redressal system, including district-level ombudsmen, will address complaints.
The programme will operate as a centrally sponsored scheme with shared funding between the Centre and states. The estimated annual cost stands at ₹1.51 lakh crore.
