Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Defends VBG Ramji Bill; Congress Protests Removal of Mahatma Gandhi's Name

Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan strongly defended the 'Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission Grameen' (VBG Ramji) Bill in the Lok Sabha, which replaces the 20-year-old MGNREGA. Addressing the opposition's uproar over removing Mahatma Gandhi's name, Chouhan stated, 'Gandhiji is our inspiration... India is not just a land but an emotional identity.' The new legislation increases guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days but introduces a 60:40 Centre-State funding split. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the move, arguing that 'state governments do not have enough money' and termed the bill 'against the poor and labourers.' The session witnessed high drama with opposition MPs storming the well and tearing copies of the bill.