In Focus by The Hindu VB-GRAMG Bill: Will it destroy the world’s most successful workfare program?
Dec 24, 2025
In this insightful discussion, guest Rajendran Narayanan, an Associate Professor at Azim Premji University, unpacks the controversial VB-GRAMG Bill that replaces MGNREGA. He explains how the new bill shifts from demand-driven work to central control, impacting funding and employment accessibility. Rajendran critiques the risks of centralized digital monitoring and discusses the potential fiscal burdens on poorer states. He alerts listeners to emerging protests and highlights the bill's rushed introduction, raising concerns about the rights of vulnerable populations.
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Sixty-Day Blackout Window
- The bill allows states to declare a 60-day blackout during peak agricultural season when no work will be provided.
- This removes year-round availability and can weaken worker bargaining power versus landowners.
End Of Universality
- VB-GRAMG replaces universality with panchayat categorisation (A/B/C), enabling targeted coverage decided by the centre.
- This undermines the universal access that allowed any rural resident to apply for work.
Digital Dashboards, Remote Control
- The bill mandates GIS, NMMS and biometric tools, centralising planning via dashboards and remote monitoring.
- Rajendran warns these digital layers risk digitising corruption and replacing ground accountability.