MGNREGA: 125 Work Days, But States Face Massive Funding Shift

• The 'Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill (VB-G RAM G Bill)' is set to replace MGNREGA, bringing major changes.
• Guaranteed workdays increase from 100 to 125 per family, but with a 60-day suspension during peak agricultural seasons.
• Central government's wage share reduced: 60% for most states (40% state burden), 90% for NE/Himalayan states (10% state burden).
• States face an estimated Rs. 30,000 crore annual burden due to new funding formula and central 'Normative Allocation'.
• Job cards replaced by 'Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards' (3-year validity); work selection linked to 'Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans' and PM Gati Shakti.

Why It Matters: MGNREGA's new bill increases workdays but shifts significant financial and planning burden onto states.