MGNREGA Renaming Defended By TDP In Lok Sabha
- TDP backs MGNREGA renaming as economy evolves
- VB G RAM G Bill debate highlights rural jobs reform
The Telugu Desam Party has defended the renaming of MGNREGA in the Lok Sabha, saying rural employment schemes must evolve with changing economic realities. Speaking during the discussion on the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishnadevaraya said the proposed change reflects long-term policy shifts and implementation experience.
The Bill seeks to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, and replace it with VB G RAM G. During the debate, the TDP parliamentary party leader noted that rural employment programmes have existed since 1969 in different forms, much before the launch of NREGA in 2005. He said schemes such as the Rural Employment Programme, Jawahar Rozgar Yojana, and Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana eventually led to MNREGA.
“The current proposal is another necessary iteration in 2025, reflecting new economic realities and implementation experiences,” he said. He added that public policy must adapt as aspirations change and as the economy progresses. “The central theme repeatedly mentioned in this House is change, which is the only constant in governance and public policy,” he said.
Lavu Sri Krishnadevaraya also traced policy priorities across decades, linking them to shifting national goals. He said poverty levels have fallen sharply over time. “As economic conditions improve, schemes must also evolve, especially when poverty has declined from 25 per cent in 2011-12 to 4.8 per cent in 2023-24,” he said.
Meanwhile, the TDP MP pointed to concerns raised by members across parties about inefficiencies and limited impact of MGNREGA at the constituency level. He referred to a Parliamentary Committee on MGNREGA in 2024, which recommended reviewing guaranteed workdays and examining the need to raise them from 100 to 150 days. He also cited ground level feedback that indicated implementation gaps and misuse in some regions.
He said Union government monitoring had revealed cases of non existent works and wage payments without corresponding work in several districts and states. Based on these findings, he said the government proposed increasing guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days. He also highlighted that budget allocations had risen from Rs 5,400 crore at the scheme’s start to nearly Rs 86,000 crore in recent years.
He further said Andhra Pradesh’s post bifurcation revenue deficit since 2014 must be considered while implementing reforms. Calling the changes timely, he said, “While the scheme played a critical role during periods of distress, it now requires restructuring, better targeting, and reform to remain effective.”
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