Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Criticizes New Employment Bill in Lok Sabha
In a recent session of the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra vehemently opposed the VB-G-Ram-Gi bill, arguing that it jeopardizes the future of the MGNREGA scheme. She highlighted concerns about the bill's implications for state responsibilities and its potential to harm millions of rural families. Other political leaders echoed her sentiments, criticizing the bill's passage without consensus and the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name. The bill, which redefines MGNREGA, has sparked significant debate regarding its impact on rural employment and welfare.
| Dec 18, 2025, 16:08 IST
Opposition to the VB-G-Ram-Gi Bill
On Thursday, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly opposed the VB-G-Ram-Gi bill passed in the Lok Sabha, asserting that it poses a significant threat to the future of the MGNREGA scheme. Speaking to reporters, she stated, "We will oppose this bill. With its implementation, MGNREGA will likely come to an end in the coming months. As states bear the burden, this scheme will gradually fade away. This bill is detrimental to the poor."
Concerns Over State Responsibilities
Priyanka further expressed her concerns that the bill would impose unnecessary responsibilities on state governments, potentially harming this welfare program that supports millions of rural families across the country. She remarked, "No matter how you look at it, any sensible person will understand that this is a clever ploy for 100 to 125 days. Anyone who reads this bill will realize that the entire scheme will be phased out in the coming months. As soon as such a large financial burden falls on state governments, the scheme will gradually disappear."
Criticism from Other Political Leaders
Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav criticized the bill for being passed without consensus, stating that the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name indicates a disdain from the BJP and the current government towards Bapu. He claimed that this legislation would render the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme ineffective in the coming years. DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi also condemned the bill, asserting that it is entirely against rural India and that the central government will now decide who gets employment and in which sectors. She expressed her dismay over the removal of Gandhi's name from the scheme.
Details of the Passed Bill
This morning, during the ongoing winter session, the Lok Sabha passed the Developed India Guarantee Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Bill, 2025, which redefines the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) as an employment guarantee scheme. Central Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who introduced the bill, defended the name change and accused the opposition of straying from Gandhi's ideals while presenting the bill for consideration and passage.