Congress MP Mukul Wasnik speaks during the debate on the VB-G RAM G Bill in the Rajya Sabha on December 18, 2025. Photo: Sansad TV
Opposition parties flagged the lack of consultation before the introduction of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill (VB-G RAM G) and asked the government to produce evidence of discussions held with state governments before increasing their financial responsibility.
They also cited the example of three agricultural laws which they said were passed under similar circumstances and later withdrawn after a long agitation by farmers. This Bill will also face the same fate, they said.
The Rajya Sabha began its deliberations on the legislation at 6:50 p.m. The debate ended after midnight on Friday (December 19, 2025), when the House passed it by voice vote amid loud protests.
Congress MP Mukul Wasnik launched the opposition attack. Mr. Wasnik said MGNREGA was passed unanimously after undergoing parliamentary scrutiny and extensive consultations. He asked: “Can the Government say the same about this legislation?” He said the bill was introduced just three days before the last day of the winter session. He asked: “Did you speak to the state governments before he increased their financial responsibility? Were they given confidence? And if so, can the government table that consultation in the House?”
RJD leader Manoj K. Jha said MGNREGA comes closest to the right to work as enshrined in Article 41 of the Constitution of India. The new law, he said, struck at the very soul of the article.
AIADMK MP M. Thambidurai, while appreciating the increase in working day entitlements from 100 days to 125 days, criticized the government for increasing the burden on state governments. If the states are to bear 40% of the cost of the scheme as stipulated in the new legislation, he said, then the states should also get 100% of the taxes and other taxes collected by the Centre.
Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya of the CPI(M) said the blackout period introduced in the legislation robs the bargaining power of the rural poor and forces them to work for minimum wages. The legislation allows the regime to be suspended during agricultural peaks.
Published – 19 Dec 2025 02:44 IST
