India, Dec. 28 -- The Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAMG) Act, 2025, which has replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), will impact transparency and scrutiny over its functioning, researchers have pointed out.

The bill was hurriedly passed on December 18 by both Houses of Parliament and received the President's approval on December 21. The Act was discussed and passed with limited parliamentary scrutiny and without public consultation.

In a statement issued by LibTech India, a team of engineers, social workers and social scientists focusing on democratic engagement in rural public services delivery pointed out that under MGNREGA, substantial programme inform...