New Delhi, India : The Modi government has approved a Bill to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), setting off a sharp political confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition. The decision was cleared by the Union Cabinet on December 13, 2025, and the proposed legislation is expected to be tabled in Parliament during the ongoing session.
According to sources, the Bill seeks to remove “Mahatma Gandhi” from the scheme’s official title, a move that has drawn strong criticism from the Congress party, which accused the government of indulging in “ideological erasure” under the guise of administrative reform.
Calling the ruling dispensation “masters at renaming schemes,” Congress leaders questioned why the name of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, was being dropped from one of India’s most impactful social welfare programs. Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders argued that the move fits a broader pattern of rechristening flagship initiatives associated with previous governments.
MGNREGA, launched in 2005, is a cornerstone of India’s rural welfare framework, guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households and serving as a crucial safety net during economic distress.
Government sources, however, defended the proposal, saying the renaming exercise is part of administrative streamlining and does not alter the scheme’s objectives, funding, or legal guarantees. Officials emphasized that the focus remains on efficient delivery and accountability rather than nomenclature.
With emotions running high on both sides, the Bill is expected to face intense debate in Parliament, further escalating political tensions ahead of key legislative discussions.
🧠 Key Facts & People Involved
Bill Approved: Renaming of MGNREGA
Date of Cabinet Approval: December 13, 2025
Scheme Benefit: 100 days of guaranteed rural employment
Prime Minister: Narendra Modi
Congress Leader: Sonia Gandhi
Status: Bill to be tabled in Parliament
