President gives approval to G. Ram, granting planning powers to panchayats; opposition raises questions

The Modi government, which considers the development of villages and villagers crucial to achieving the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, is finally implementing its rural employment policy with significant changes.

The government, amidst strong opposition from the opposition in both houses of Parliament during the recent winter session, passed the Developed India – Guarantee Mission for Employment and Livelihood (Rural) Bill, 2025 (VB GRAMJI Bill 2025). On Sunday, President Droupadi Murmu also gave her assent, paving the way for a new law to replace MGNREGA.

Statutory Guarantee of Employment
The VB GRAMJI Act-2025, introduced by the NDA government, incorporates several important changes. Under this act, the statutory guarantee of employment has been increased from 100 days under MGNREGA to 125 days.

Power to Notify
The government considers it a crucial provision of the act that, to facilitate the availability of agricultural labor for agriculture-related activities during peak sowing and harvesting seasons, the act will empower states to notify a suspension period of up to 60 days in a financial year.

Compensation for Delays
The act mandates that wages be paid on a weekly basis or, in any case, within fifteen days of the completion of work. Compensation will be provided for delays. Another significant change is that the government has also defined the types of work to be undertaken under this law.

These include four primary areas: water security and water-related works, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and works that mitigate the impact of adverse weather events.

Consent of Villagers
This will ensure that the work done on the ground is visible and its benefits contribute to rural development. Importantly, the power to decide on the work has been given to the Panchayats. Work will be determined based on the needs of the village, with the consent of the villagers through Gram Sabhas (village assemblies).