Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a strong attack on the opposition INDIA alliance on Tuesday, accusing them of opposing a crucial new rural employment law to conceal their alleged past corruption. He positioned the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgaar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM-G) Act, 2025, as a transformative reform for India's villages.
A Foundation for a Developed India
Addressing a press conference, CM Yogi described the recently passed legislation as a landmark initiative set to reshape India's rural economic landscape. He asserted that the Act would form the bedrock of a new, developed India. The Chief Minister elaborated that national development is only possible when states prosper, and states prosper only when their fundamental unit—the village—advances.
"When we empower the rural economy, when our farmers become self-reliant, and when workers are ensured social security and respect, then the vision of a developed India will move forward," stated Adityanath. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of Uttar Pradesh's citizens for this step.
Opposition's Stance Draws Sharp Criticism
The core of Adityanath's criticism was directed at the Congress party and its INDIA bloc partners for questioning the VB-G RAM-G Act. He expressed surprise that the alliance was not supporting what he called a transparent process designed for the benefit of workers, farmers, and village development.
"They are openly supporting their old corrupt practices," he alleged. The Chief Minister suggested that the opposition's anxiety stemmed from a fear that supporting such transparent reforms would expose their historical "misdeeds." He claimed the press conference was necessary because those who had "plundered the country's resources" for years, leading to poverty and youth migration, were now worried.
Key Features of the VB-G RAM-G Act
The new law, which received President Droupadi Murmu's assent on December 21, 2025, replaces the older Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). It introduces several enhanced provisions aimed at strengthening rural infrastructure and livelihoods.
The primary features of the Act include:
- An increased statutory wage employment guarantee of 125 days per financial year for rural households, up from the previous 100 days under MGNREGA.
- A focus on creating permanent assets in rural areas to boost long-term infrastructure.
- Promotion of empowerment, inclusive growth, and convergence of various development schemes.
- A saturation-based delivery model to ensure comprehensive coverage.
According to the Uttar Pradesh CM, this framework is designed to build a prosperous, resilient, and self-reliant 'Rural Bharat'. He concluded that the Act guarantees employment and ensures a transparent process for rural development, directly contributing to the vision of a developed nation.
