Jean Drèze on New Rural Jobs Bill: 'Switch-Off Clause' in VB-M RAM G Repeals MGNREGA Guarantee

In this Special Report, India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai discusses the 'VB-M RAM G Bill 2025' which seeks to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Development economist Jean Drèze argues the new scheme is 'not an employment guarantee' due to a 'switch-off clause' that gives the Centre discretionary power. Drèze warns, 'It is like providing a work guarantee without any guarantee that the guarantee applies.' Political economist Shankkar Aiyar questions the centralization, noting that 'history tells us largely that all major reforms in India have come from the states.' The programme explores the shift to a centrally directed scheme.