A significant change is brewing in India’s Parliament, sparking a lively debate: the government plans to rename the iconic Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). This scheme, a lifeline for rural employment since 2005, is set to be replaced by the “Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025.”
The most striking aspect of this proposed change? The removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has sharply criticized this move, questioning the government’s intentions. “Why remove Mahatma Gandhi’s name?” she asked, emphasizing his global stature. She also highlighted the practicalities and costs involved in changing official stationery and systems, asking what benefit such an expense would bring. In her view, it’s a waste of time and money, distracting from “real issues.”
On the other hand, the government justifies the new bill as a step towards “Viksit Bharat 2047,” a vision for a developed India. Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that while MGNREGA has been effective, further strengthening is needed due to “significant socio-economic transformation” in rural areas. The new bill aims to guarantee 125 days of wage employment annually to rural households, an increase from the previous provision, aligning it with a more modern rural development framework.
This proposed legislative change ignites a crucial conversation about national identity, political legacy, and the evolving needs of rural India. Is it a pragmatic update for a modern vision, or does it risk sidelining a foundational figure in India’s history?
Source: https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2025/12/15/del32-priyanka-rural-employment-bill.html
