Parliament Passes ‘Viksit Bharat – Ji Ram Ji Bill’, Opposition Protests Late into the Night

New Delhi: Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have passed the Viksit Bharat – Ji Ram Ji Bill, 2025, granting it formal parliamentary approval, though opposition members staged protests inside and outside the Parliament.

Rajya Sabha Approves the Bill
The Rajya Sabha passed the bill late Thursday night after over six hours of discussion. Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan responded to the opposition’s concerns, and the House rejected several amendment proposals moved by opposition members. The Lok Sabha had approved the bill earlier in the day.

Addressing the House, Chouhan said the bill aims to carry forward Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals and realize the vision of a developed India by creating developed villages as its foundation. He rejected allegations that the bill seeks to remove Gandhi’s name from the MGNREGA framework, stating that previous governments, particularly under the Congress, had failed to implement such schemes effectively.

Opposition Walkout and Protest
During the discussion, opposition members continuously disrupted proceedings, shouting slogans and causing commotion in front of the Chair. Rajya Sabha Chairperson C.P. Radhakrishnan repeatedly warned the protesting members to refrain from entering the ruling party benches. Eventually, Congress and other opposition members staged a walkout. The protest continued outside the Parliament premises near the Constitution House.

Chouhan Accuses Congress of Mismanagement
Chouhan criticized Congress, claiming that while the MGNREGA program had limited effectiveness under their rule, the Modi government expanded its reach. He highlighted that during the UPA regime, 1,660 crore person-days of employment were generated, whereas under the NDA government, 3,210 crore person-days were created.

The minister also emphasized women’s participation, which increased from 48% in pre-Modi times to 56.73% under the current government. He accused Congress of misappropriating funds and using Gandhi’s name for political gains while failing to implement the program effectively.

New Law to Ensure More Employment and Village Development
Chouhan stated that the new bill had undergone extensive consultation before introduction. It seeks to provide greater employment, ensure proper use of funds, and create ideal villages with employment, education, good governance, sanitation, safe drinking water, healthcare, child nutrition, electricity, and paved roads.

He further clarified that the center-state funding ratio has been set at 60:40 to ensure greater state participation and accountability. Chouhan said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a new India is being built, and this bill will play a crucial role in improving the lives of the poor.”

Budget Allocation and Special Provisions
Chouhan noted that while Congress had reduced the previous program’s budget from ₹40,000 crore to ₹35,000 crore, the Modi government has allocated ₹1,11,000 crore and proposed ₹1,51,282 crore in the current budget. The program also includes provisions for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes, and persons with disabilities, who will receive employment guarantee cards.

The minister asserted that Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals remain alive in the government’s initiatives, from the PM Awas Yojana and Jal Jeevan Mission to Ujjwala, Saubhagya, and Atal Pension schemes. “Gandhi is not just on posters; he lives in the work we do for the last person in society,” Chouhan emphasized.