Rajya Sabha Passes Viksit Bharat Rozgar Bill, MGNREGA Replaced Amid Opposition Walkout

In a late-night session, the Rajya Sabha passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, replacing the UPA-era MGNREGA. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan presented the legislation, which increases guaranteed employment to 125 days but faced fierce resistance for removing Mahatma Gandhi's name. Defending the move, Chouhan stated, 'Congress dhang kardo... bapu Ki Gandhiji ke adarshon Ki hatya.' The bill was passed by voice vote after opposition MPs, alleging the government was 'snatching the rights of poor people,' staged a walkout. The new law also alters the funding pattern to a 60:40 Centre-State split.