A bill that seeks to guarantee rural jobs for 125 days every year and replace the 20-year-old MNREGA was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan amid strong objections by the opposition to the “removal” of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from it.

Chouhan, while introducing the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, said the government not only believes in Mahatma Gandhi but also follows his principles. Several opposition MPs protested in the Parliament House complex on Tuesday over the bill, as they accused the BJP-led NDA dispensation of “insulting” Mahatma Gandhi and demanded the withdrawal of the proposed legislation.