The Lok Sabha began debating the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, which aims to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The government plans to pass the Bill by December 19, 2025, despite opposition demands to reconsider it. Opposition leaders and activists criticized the Bill for changing the demand-driven nature of MGNREGA, removing its universal coverage, centralizing decision-making, and increasing financial burden on state governments. The Tamil Nadu-based DMK leader K. Kanimozhi pointed out that the state share has increased to 40% from the earlier 10%, while Central tax allocations to states are shrinking. She also criticized the Bill’s Hindi-only title, calling it a “vexed” bill rather than a “Viksit Bharat” one. TMC’s Mahua Moitra said the Bill mentions “guarantee” 92 times, but the fine print lets the Centre control budgets and select implementation areas, thus not truly guaranteeing jobs. Congress leader Kodikunnil Suresh highlighted that the Bill is anti-women, noting that women make up 90% of Kerala’s MGNREGA workforce and many are sole earners. TDP leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu asked for continued financial support to states like Andhra Pradesh, which is revenue-deficient, as States must fund 40% of the program. Outside Parliament, CPI’s Annie Raja said MGNREGA was built on bottom-up consultation, but the new Bill imposes a top-down approach with the Centre deciding work locations and timings, possibly extending shifts up to 12 hours. Economists Jayati Ghosh and Jean Drèze criticized the Bill for turning entitlements into State gifts and centralising power while placing financial duty on states. Activist Yogendra Yadav announced nationwide protests starting December 19. Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will respond to the debate on December 18.