G RAM G Bill Passed Amid Heated Parliamentary Opposition

Overview of the G RAM G Bill

The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Bill, popularly known as G RAM G, is positioned as an updated version of the UPA-era MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Act). The bill was fast-tracked through Parliament in just two days, despite widespread turbulence and protests across both houses.

It successfully cleared the Lok Sabha amid walkouts and vociferous opposition on Thursday afternoon. The Rajya Sabha debate extended past midnight, concluding around 12:15 am with the bill being passed through a voice vote.

Opposition’s Strong Response

The Congress Party voiced significant outrage over the renaming of the scheme from Mahatma Gandhi to G RAM G. Despite their protests, the numbers favored the ruling alliance, and the bill was ultimately passed. The opposition initially demanded a referral to a Standing Committee, then pushed for a total withdrawal. When both demands were ignored, several opposition parties staged a walkout.

Following the passage, MPs from the Trinamool Congress and other opposition groups staged a dharna inside Parliament, signaling their strong dissent.

Contentious Rajya Sabha Debate

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the bill sharply, warning it could negatively impact rural poor. Addressing Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who piloted the legislation, Kharge urged reconsideration. He highlighted precedents where the government withdrew controversial laws without setbacks, insisting that withdrawing this law could turn the government into a hero. He concluded with an emotional plea, invoking the memory of his mother and Mother India to emphasize the bill’s perceived harm to the underprivileged.

Other opposition members, including Derek O’Brien of the Trinamool Congress, highlighted the timing of the bill’s passage and its impact on state-level schemes. O’Brien noted that West Bengal had adapted its own employment scheme, which could be disrupted by the new legislation.

When Chouhan responded, the opposition staged a walkout after chanting slogans demanding the bill’s withdrawal. Chouhan, in turn, accused the opposition of betraying Gandhian ideals by refusing a proper debate.

Government’s Defense

Chouhan defended the bill, arguing that MGNREGA had become a tool for corruption and required modernization. He stressed that the new law incorporates Mahatma Gandhi’s social ideals, and noted that the Congress had originally not named Gandhi in the scheme, only adding his name before the 2009 elections.

The government emphasized that the legislation is an update to address the 20-year-old scheme’s shortcomings and align it with contemporary needs.

Opposition’s Objections

Opposition leaders criticized the renaming, alleging an attempt to erase Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy. Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram argued that the new bill undermines the core objectives of MGNREGA—guarantee of employment, livelihood security, and social protection—asserting that the new law provides neither guaranteed work nor security for rural workers.

Key Differences Between MGNREGA and G RAM G

• Work Guarantee: MGNREGA guaranteed 100 days of employment and an unemployment allowance if work was unavailable. G RAM G increases the guaranteed days to 125 but limits work to pre-approved plans rather than community demand.
• Categories of Work: The new law defines four work categories—water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood assets, and climate resilience—potentially reducing local autonomy in project selection.
• Focus Shift: Critics argue that the program’s shift to pre-approved plans diminishes flexibility and responsiveness to local needs.

Conclusion

The G RAM G bill represents a significant legislative shift in rural employment policy, aiming to modernize MGNREGA while sparking debates over legacy, implementation, and rural welfare. The fast-tracking of the bill and strong opposition protests underscore the contentious political and social implications of the legislation.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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