Nepal unrest: Ousted PM Oli's party hits back, brands youth protests 'anarchy'

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.

In this Special Report, India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai hosts a fiery debate on the new 'Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)' or VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025. BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla defends the legislation, highlighting the increase to 125 guaranteed workdays and the focus on 'Viksit Bharat' themes like water security and climate resilience. Countering him, Congress National Spokesperson Dr. Ajoy Kumar terms the bill a 'demolishing of rights,' criticizing the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name and the new 60:40 funding split that increases the burden on states. The discussion explores whether the overhaul is a progressive reform or a regressive move for rural India.

Ten days after his acquittal in the 2017 actor assault case, Dileep returns to theatres with 'Bha Bha Ba.'

This report analyses the impact of the rural employment scheme, MGNREGA. The Unidentified speaker highlights its achievements in providing 'livelihood security to crores of rural households', reducing distress migration, and empowering marginalized groups. The discussion also covers significant criticisms, including bureaucratic delays in payments beyond the mandated 15 days. The speaker points out issues of corruption, such as 'fake job cards created' and 'ghost workers', alongside concerns regarding insufficient funding and state-level disparities.