MGNREGA vs Viksit Bharat Rozgar & Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): A Structural Shift in Rural Employment Policy
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Introduction: From Wage Security to Sustainable Livelihoods India’s rural employment framework is undergoing a conceptual transition. While the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) was designed as a rights-based wage employment safety net, the proposed Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 aims to integrate employment with livelihood creation, skilling, and long-term economic productivity . This shift aligns with the Government’s stated goal of achieving Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047 . Statutory Background of MGNREGA MGNREGA is a central legislation enacted in 2005 guaranteeing 100 days of unskilled manual wage employment per financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to work. Key Legal Features Demand-driven employment guarantee Statutory right to work Unemployment allowance for failure to provide work Decentralised implementation through Panchayati Raj Institutions Focus...