India, Dec. 15 -- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday criticised the Centre's proposal to rename and replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), calling the move "unfortunate" and unnecessary, and arguing that Mahatma Gandhi's name was integral to both the scheme's identity and its underlying philosophy.

Responding to the Narendra Modi-led government's plan to introduce the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB - G RAM G Bill, 2025, Tharoor said the decision to drop Gandhi's name ignored the historical and moral foundations of the programme.

"It's unfortunate because Mahatma Gandhi had a very, very clear vision of both the rural poor, whom he cared for. He talked abo...