Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the VB G RAM-G bill replacing the two-decade-old MGNREGA scheme amid acrimonious scenes between Centre and Opposition, which accused the Government of destroying the rural economy and ignoring the principles of Mahatma Gandhi.
While the lower house saw some members from the Opposition benches tearing the bill papers, which led to the adjournment for the day, it was taken up in the Rajya Sabha and was being debated till this news report’s last filing. Sources from both the ruling and Opposition confirmed that the Bill will likely sail through the Parliament late at night as the Winter Session ends on Friday.
Opposition MPs, including Jairam Ramesh and Digvijaya Singh, opposed the introduction of the VB-G RAM G Bill in the Rajya Sabha when Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sought to table the legislation. Opposition demanded that they be given at least one day to first read and understand the Bill, before it is introduced for debate in the Upper House.