During the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament (November–December 2025), December 11 saw heightened opposition activity including TMC MPs Kirti Azad, Sagarika Ghose, and Satabdi Roy staging a silent protest over pending MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) dues to states, while Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury led a protest march against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Kolkata. The Winter Session was marked by debates on rural employment, with the government later proposing the VB-G RAM G Bill (Viksit Bharat Grameen Rojgar Mitra Guarantee Bill) as a potential replacement for MGNREGA — increasing guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days and rebranding the scheme within the Viksit Bharat framework. MGNREGA, enacted in 2005 under the UPA government, guarantees 100 days of unskilled manual work per rural household annually. As of 2024–25, MGNREGA had a budget allocation of ₹86,000 crore, with wages released directly through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). Pending wage payments to states had been a major grievance, with Opposition parties alleging wilful delay by the Centre. In Rajasthan, MGNREGA is a critical safety net: the state has approximately 1.5 crore active MGNREGA job card holders, with significant employment provided in drought-prone and desert districts (Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jalore). Rajasthan was among the earliest states to implement MGNREGA effectively, with its social audit mechanisms serving as a national model.
Parliament Winter Session 2025: Opposition Protests Over MGNREGA Dues; TMC and Congress Stage Demonstrations
During the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament (November–December 2025), December 11 saw heightened opposition activity including TMC MPs Kirti Azad, Sagarika Ghose, and Satabdi Roy staging a silent protest over pending MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) dues to states, while Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury led a protest march against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Kolkata. The Winter Session was marked by debates on rural employment, with the government later proposing the VB-G RAM G Bill (Viksit Bharat Grameen Rojgar Mitra Guarantee Bill) as a potential replacement for MGNREGA — increasing guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days and rebranding the scheme within the Viksit Bharat framework. MGNREGA, enacted in 2005 under the UPA government, guarantees 100 days of unskilled manual work per rural household annually. As of 2024–25, MGNREGA had a budget allocation of ₹86,000 crore, with wages released directly through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). Pending wage payments to states had been a major grievance, with Opposition parties alleging wilful delay by the Centre. In Rajasthan, MGNREGA is a critical safety net: the state has approximately 1.5 crore active MGNREGA job card holders, with significant employment provided in drought-prone and desert districts (Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jalore). Rajasthan was among the earliest states to implement MGNREGA effectively, with its social audit mechanisms serving as a national model.
Key facts
- TMC and Congress protested in Parliament over pending MGNREGA dues to states in December 2025.
- Parliament passed the VB-G RAM G Bill, which received presidential assent and replaced MGNREGA with a 125-day guarantee.
- MGNREGA (2005) earlier guaranteed 100 days; the replacement Act now gives a 125-day statutory wage-employment guarantee.
- MGNREGA budget for 2024-25 was ₹86,000 crore with wages through Direct Benefit Transfer.
- Rajasthan has approximately 1.5 crore active MGNREGA job card holders across drought-prone districts.
- Rajasthan was among the earliest states to implement MGNREGA with model social audit mechanisms.
Mains angle
Q: Discuss the constitutional and fiscal significance of opposition protests during the Winter Session 2025 over pending MGNREGA dues and the proposed VB-G RAM G Bill replacement.
Answer (50 words):
Parliament's Winter Session 2025 saw TMC MPs Kirti Azad, Sagarika Ghose, Satabdi Roy protesting pending MGNREGA dues against ₹86,000 crore 2024-25 allocation. The proposed VB-G RAM G Bill raises guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days. Rajasthan has 1.5 crore active job cards, making timely wages critical.
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Which of the following statements is correct regarding: Parliament Winter Session 2025: Opposition Protests Over MGNREGA Dues; TMC and Congress Stage Demons?
During the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament (November–December 2025), December 11 saw heightened opposition activity including TMC MPs Kirti Azad, Sagarika Ghose, and Satabdi Roy staging a silent
Source: Outlook India / Deccan Herald / Business Standard / The Wire / PIB
Frequently asked questions
What is MGNREGA and what does it guarantee to rural households?
MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), enacted in 2005, guarantees 100 days of unskilled manual work per rural household per year, with wages paid through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Why did TMC and Congress protest in Parliament during the Winter Session 2025?
TMC MPs and Congress leaders protested over pending MGNREGA dues owed by the central government to states, as many states had not received their rightful wage reimbursements, stalling rural employment programmes.
What is the VB-G RAM G Bill proposed during the Winter Session 2025?
The VB-G RAM G Bill was proposed by the government as a potential replacement for MGNREGA, with the key enhancement of increasing guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days per rural household annually.
What was the MGNREGA budget for 2024-25, and how large is Rajasthan's participation?
The MGNREGA budget for 2024-25 was ₹86,000 crore. Rajasthan has approximately 1.5 crore active MGNREGA job card holders, concentrated in drought-prone districts, making it one of the scheme's largest beneficiary states.
What is the significance of Rajasthan in the history of MGNREGA implementation?
Rajasthan was among the earliest states to implement MGNREGA and developed model social audit mechanisms — grievance redressal systems where beneficiaries verify project execution — which became a national benchmark for transparency.
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