A leopard entered a residential building in Bhayandar on Friday morning, causing panic among residents. Confirming the incident to mid-day, Deputy Conservator of Forests Sachin Repal of the Thane Territorial Forest Department said the department had received reports of the animal’s presence and immediately dispatched a rescue team to the site. Volunteers from NGO SARRP- India are also on the spot to assist the forest department. A total of six injured were taken to the local government hospital. Repal urged locals to stay away from the building and avoid provoking the leopard, warning that any such attempt could trigger a human–leopard conflict. Watch full video | Leopard enters in Maharashtra's Bhayander residential building View this post on Instagram A post shared by mid-day (@middayindia) A leopard entered a Bhayandar residential building, injuring six people, prompting forest and NGO teams to rush in and safely rescue and contain the wild animal.Vc 📷: Special arrangements pic.twitter.com/C7uG59DJAh — Mid Day (@mid_day) December 19, 2025 A local said, "The presence of local politicians and their workers in large numbers near the building is making it difficult for the forest department to rescue the leopard."People gathered near the site as the leopard caused havoc, sparking panic among residents. Pic/Ranjeet Jadhav SGNP Director Anita Patil has sent the SGNP leopard rescue team to the spot along with Wildlife veterinarian Dr Nikhil Bangar, who has expertise to rescue the Leopard. Rescue efforts are underway. PIC/ Aditya Shinde The leopard was trapped inside a room at the Paraijat Cooperative Housing Society. Police manage crowd as rescue operation continues at Parijat CHS, Bhayandar East. PIC/Satej Shinde. A veterinarian trying to dart the leopard. PIC/ Sources An official from the Forest Department confirmed that the leopard was successfully tranquilised around 2.18 pm. The leopard is now rescued and taken to SGNP.
19 December,2025 03:00 PM IST | | Ranjeet JadhavDelhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Friday announced that air purifiers will be installed in 10,000 classrooms to ensure clean air for the students. Addressing a press conference, Sood said that the government is committed towards tackling the problem of pollution through long-term administrative measures. "We are not those who flaunt IIT degrees and do campaigns like Odd-Even or Gaadi On, Gaadi Off campaign. We are tackling the issue of pollution through long-term administrative measures," he said, taking a dig at the previous Aam Aadmi Party government. He added, "We want our children to study smart and also breathe smart air. In the first phase, air purifiers will be installed in 10,000 classrooms." The minister, who also holds the urban portfolio, said the Public Works Department, using the environment cess, will also procure mechanical road sweepers for each of the assembly constituencies. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
19 December,2025 02:17 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday claimed that some of those arrested for allegedly supplying illegal codeine-based cough syrup have links to the Samajwadi Party, reported news agency PTI. “Everyone knows that every ‘mafia’ group has ties with the Samajwadi Party,” Adityanath told reporters ahead of the Winter Session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. The chief minister said the Legislative Assembly is unlikely to transact any business on Friday due to the sudden death of an MLA. However, the government will respond to questions in the Legislative Council or if the issue is raised outside the House. “Initial investigations have revealed that some of the men arrested by the STF or the UP Police have links to the Samajwadi Party. The involvement of the Samajwadi Party, which already has a tarnished reputation, will also come to light as a state-level SIT is monitoring the entire case. Officers from the UP Police and the Food and Drug Safety Administration (FDSA) are part of it,” Adityanath said, reported PTI. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday alleged that a massive scam involving the illegal supply of codeine-based cough syrups, worth thousands of crores, originated in Uttar Pradesh, and accused the BJP government of shielding those involved. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters after a meeting of SP MLAs, Yadav claimed the racket started from the “area of Pradhan Sansad” (Varanasi MP), indirectly targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As per PTI, he said that several important issues to be raised in the upcoming Assembly session were discussed, with the alleged codeine cough syrup racket being a major concern. Taking a jibe at Yadav on Friday, Adityanath said the SP chief was “cleaning the mirror to remove dust from his face.” “Details of illegal transactions will come to light. Let the investigation proceed. The truth will be revealed to everyone,” he said. The UP chief minister said codeine phosphate, used in the manufacture of cough syrup containing codeine, falls under the NDPS Act and is regulated by the Central Narcotics Bureau. In this case, he said, the state government acted after receiving complaints about its misuse as a narcotic substance and illegal trafficking in several places. The Uttar Pradesh government, through the FDSA, UP Police and the STF, is conducting the investigation. So far, a large-scale illegal trafficking operation has been uncovered and numerous people have been arrested, Adityanath added, reported PTI. FDSA officials said codeine-based syrups fall under Schedule H and are legal if sold against a valid prescription. Violations occur when large quantities are supplied without proper documentation, often facilitating their abuse as intoxicants. Officials said FIRs have been registered against 128 establishments across 28 districts under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the NDPS Act. (With PTI inputs)
19 December,2025 02:16 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondentDense fog continued to disrupt operations at the Delhi airport on Friday as well. At least 79 flights were cancelled on Friday amid the concerning visibility around the national capital. As reported by news agency PTI, more than 230 flights were delayed at the airport, and the average delay for departures was 49 minutes on Friday morning, as per data from the flight tracking website. The official, while addressing the concerning situation, said that a total of 79 flights, including some international services, have been cancelled. The Delhi airport operator DIAL, while posting on social media platform X, wrote, "Flight operations continue to be in CAT III conditions due to dense fog. Both arrivals and departures are taking place, though some flights may experience delays or disruptions," as cited by news agency PTI. Indira Gandhi International Airport handles 1300 flights daily Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) operates the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), the country's largest airport that generally handles around 1,300 flights daily. While regretting the inconvenience, DIAL said its on-ground officials are working closely with all stakeholders to assist passengers and provide necessary support across the terminals, reported ANI. Earlier on Thursday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) had also advised passengers to stay in close contact with their airlines for real-time flight updates. The Ministry also advised travellers to regularly check official airline and airport websites or apps and plan their journeys accordingly to avoid inconvenience. The passenger facilitation teams have also been deployed across airports to provide necessary assistance and guidance to travellers affected by the weather conditions, reported ANI. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, while posting on social media, stated, "The ongoing fog conditions in Northern India are impacting airport operations. Passengers are advised to stay in touch with their airlines for real-time flight updates, regularly check official airline and airport websites or apps, and plan their journeys with additional travel time to avoid inconvenience. Passenger facilitation teams are deployed across airports to provide necessary assistance." Considering the unfavourable weather conditions, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Thursday also issued a weather advisory warning of dense fog conditions across Northern India, cautioning passengers about low visibility and possible flight delays at several airports. (With inputs from ANI)
19 December,2025 02:06 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAmid opposition protests over the passage of the VB-G Ram G Bill, Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Friday by Speaker Om Birla after Vande Mataram was played in the House. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who returned from a three-nation visit yesterday, was also present in the House on Friday, as reported by news agency ANI. Rajya Sabha chairman Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan adjourned the Upper House of Parliament shortly after it resumed at 11 am on Friday. Prior to the adjournment of the house, statements and reports were laid on the table. While adjourning the Rajya Sabha sine die, Vice-President Radhakrishnan said, "The conduct of members during the minister's reply yesterday, which included protesting and tearing of papers, was unbecoming of the House, and I express the wish that they reflect on their behaviour," as cited by news agency ANI. The Chairman, while adjourning the house, further said, "The session was very productive," and expressed the hope that they will have more fruitful discussions in the coming sessions also, as cited by news agency ANI. Opposition staged a protest against VB-G-RAM G Bill Meanwhile, the Opposition continued its vocal protest against the passage of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill. On Friday, a united Opposition staged a protest outside Parliament, while members of the Trinamool Congress continued their demonstration on the steps at the entry to the House. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who is currently in Germany, joined the chorus of criticism against the Bill and termed it "anti-state" and "anti-village" by design. The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, while criticising the revamp of MGNREGA, wrote on social media, "Last night, the Modi government demolished twenty years of MGNREGA in one day. VB-G RAM G isn't a 'revamp' of MGNREGA. It demolishes the rights-based, demand-driven guarantee and turns it into a rationed scheme which is controlled from Delhi. It is anti-state and anti-village by design." Rahul also said that the earlier scheme empowered rural workers and strengthened rural livelihoods. On December 18, the penultimate day of the Winter Session 2025, Parliament passed the VB-G RAM G Bill, with the Rajya Sabha approving the legislation after it received the Lok Sabha's nod. The Bill guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household, up from the existing 100 days, for adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual work. (With inputs from ANI)
19 December,2025 01:53 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe ED seized cash worth Rs 4.62 crore, 313 kg of silver, and 6 kg of gold bullion during fresh raids linked to an ongoing money laundering probe involving the illegal transport of Indians to the US via the 'dunki' route, officials said on Friday, according to the news agency PTI. The searches were conducted on Thursday across more than a dozen locations in Delhi, Punjab (Jalandhar), and Haryana (Panipat). From the premises of a Delhi-based travel agent, authorities recovered cash, silver, and gold bullion valued at a total of Rs 19.13 crore, they added. Investigators also recovered some "incriminating" chats from phones and electronic devices found during the searches. From the premises of a "key" player in Haryana, officials said they found records and documents related to the 'dunki' business. The agent allegedly kept property documents of people wanting to go to the US illegally as surety for payment of his commission amount, the officials claimed, reported PTI. The word "donkey," "dunkey," or "dunki" refers to the long and arduous journey undertaken by immigrants to enter countries illegally. The federal probe agency conducted the first round of raids in July and recently attached assets worth Rs 5 crore of some travel agents after identifying alleged operatives behind this illegal racket. The ED investigation stems from a series of FIRs registered by the Punjab and Haryana Police in connection with the deportation of 330 Indian nationals to India on board US military cargo planes in February 2025. These people were found to be living "illegally" in the US, reported PTI. Describing the alleged modus operandi of the agents, the ED said they "cheated" gullible people by luring them under the pretext of sending them to the US legally and charged "hefty" amounts. However, the travellers were sent through dangerous routes via South American countries and were made to enter the US illegally through the border with Mexico. Throughout the journey, according to an ED statement issued a few days back, these people were tortured, extorted for additional money, and forced to commit illegal acts, reported PTI. The agents and their associates generated proceeds of crime (as defined under the PMLA) by cheating these people, the ED said. So far this year, the US has deported more than 1,500 Indian nationals. (With PTI inputs)
19 December,2025 01:49 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Delhi High Court on Friday set aside a Lokpal order granting sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a charge sheet against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in connection with the alleged cash-for-query row. A bench of Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar allowed Moitra’s plea challenging the Lokpal’s sanction order and directed the Lokpal to reconsider the issue in accordance with law and take a fresh decision within one month. Setting aside the impugned order, the Justice Kshetarpal-led Bench accepted Moitra’s contention that the anti-corruption body had failed to properly consider the statutory requirement of examining the comments and material submitted by the public servant before granting sanction under Section 20(7)(a) of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. The case arose from allegations levelled by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey, who accused Moitra of accepting cash and luxury gifts from Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for raising questions in the Parliament. Acting on the complaint, the Lokpal had earlier directed the CBI to investigate "all aspects" of the matter under Section 20(3)(a) of the Act and submit a report within six months. Later, the Lokpal’s full bench exercised its powers under Section 20(7)(a) and Section 23(1) of the Lokpal Act, allowing the CBI to file a charge sheet and requiring that a copy be submitted to the anti-corruption body. Aggrieved by the Lokpal’s order, Moitra moved the Delhi High Court, arguing that the sanction violated natural justice and the statutory scheme since her written and oral submissions were not considered at all. Senior advocate Nidhesh Gupta, appearing for Moitra, submitted that Section 20(7) clearly mandates consideration of the comments of the public servant before sanctioning prosecution. On the other hand, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the CBI, argued that the Lokpal’s order was passed in accordance with law and that the statute grants only a limited right to the accused at the stage of sanction. Senior Advocate Jivesh Nagrath, representing complainant Dubey, argued that Section 20 of the Act is a complete code and that the comments were properly submitted to the Lokpal. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
19 December,2025 01:30 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSDense fog continued to disrupt operations at the Delhi airport, with at least 79 flights getting cancelled on Friday, according to an official. More than 230 flights were delayed at the airport and the average delay for departures was 49 minutes on Friday morning, as per data from flight tracking website Flightradar24.com. The official said that a total of 79 flights, including some International services, have been cancelled. "Flight operations continue to be in CAT III conditions due to dense fog. Both arrivals and departures are taking place, though some flights may experience delays or disruptions," Delhi airport operator DIAL said in a post on X. Update issued at 11:05 hours.Kind attention to all flyers!#Fog #FogAlert #DelhiAirport pic.twitter.com/g1EYVtwWzY — Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) December 19, 2025 Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) operates the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), the country's largest airport that generally handles around 1,300 flights daily. While regretting the inconvenience, DIAL said its on-ground officials are working closely with all stakeholders to assist passengers and provide necessary support across the terminals. Dense fog blankets north India, IMD issues red alert for Delhi Meanwhile, a thick layer of fog stretching from Punjab to Bihar reduced visibility across the Indo-Gangetic plains on Friday morning, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for Delhi and warning that road, rail and air traffic may be affected. IMD officials said satellite imagery showed a dense fog cover over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, northeast Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. At 5.30 am, visibility was recorded at zero metres in Agra, Bareilly, Saharanpur and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh; Ambala, Amritsar, Bathinda, Ludhiana and Adampur in Punjab; Safdarjung in Delhi; Ambala in Haryana; Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh; Bhagalpur in Bihar; and Daltonganj in Jharkhand. The IMD issued a red alert for Delhi, warning that fog may disrupt operations at some airports and affect highways and railway routes. An orange alert was issued for several districts in Uttar Pradesh, including Agra, Aligarh, Baghpat, Bareilly, Bijnor, Bulandshahr, Etah, Etawah, Firozabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Hathras, Mathura, Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Pilibhit, Rampur, Saharanpur, Shahjahanpur and Shamli. Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand and Amritsar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Patiala and Sangrur in Punjab are also under an orange alert. The IMD warned of difficult driving conditions and an increased risk of road accidents, adding that there is a possibility of power line tripping in affected areas. "Residents in the affected regions are advised to stay alert and take necessary precautions, including being careful while driving or travelling by any mode of transport, using fog lights, checking road and traffic conditions, staying in touch with airlines, railways and state transport authorities for travel schedules, avoiding unnecessary travel and following advisories issued by concerned agencies," the IMD said. (With inputs from Agencies)
19 December,2025 01:25 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Winter Session of Parliament ended on Friday with both Houses -- Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha -- witnessing a noisy but productive session, culminating in several significant decisions. The 18th Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die as the House assembled for the final sitting. Speaker Om Birla announced the closure shortly after proceedings began, marking the end of a productive session spanning 15 sittings. In his remarks, Speaker Birla commended the members for their active participation and cooperation throughout the session. "All members participated and cooperated in the House, even working late into the night on several occasions," he said, highlighting the dedication shown despite demanding schedules. He noted that this spirit of collaboration enabled meaningful discussions on key legislative matters. Birla proudly announced that the Lok Sabha achieved a productivity of 111 per cent, reflecting efficient utilisation of time and focused debates. The session witnessed the passage of significant bills, including the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (VB-G RAM G Bill), which replaces the MGNREGA with an enhanced guarantee of 125 days of rural employment, and the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, aimed at boosting clean energy through private participation. Other highlights included debates on supplementary demands for grants, air pollution, and insurance law amendments. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also moved motions on important reforms. Despite occasional disruptions common in democratic deliberations, the overall tone was one of constructive engagement. Members from both treasury and opposition benches contributed to late-night sittings, ensuring pending business was addressed. The Winter Session, originally scheduled amid high expectations, concluded on a note of accomplishment, with the Lok Sabha demonstrating resilience and productivity. The next sitting is likely during the Budget Session in early 2026. The 269th session of the Rajya Sabha, part of the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, was adjourned sine die on Friday by Chairman and Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, marking the conclusion of a highly productive period. As the Upper House assembled, Chairman Radhakrishnan took up listed business. After laying papers, the Chairman announced the conclusion of the 269th session of the House and expressed profound gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of House J.P. Nadda, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, and all members for their felicitations and cooperation. This was his first session presiding over the Upper House after assuming office. Describing the session as "very productive", he highlighted remarkable achievements, including an unprecedented average of over 84 Zero Hour notices per day -- a 30.1 per cent increase over the previous two sessions -- and more than 15 matters raised daily during Zero Hour, reflecting a nearly 50 per cent surge. The House sat late or skipped lunch recesses on five days to complete business, functioning for about 92 hours with an impressive productivity of 121 per cent. Key discussions included a special commemorative debate on the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram', spanning over two days with 82 members participating, and a three-day discussion on electoral reforms involving 57 members. The Rajya Sabha passed eight bills, including the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024, with 212 members contributing. A record 59 Private Members' Bills were introduced, underscoring vibrant democratic engagement. Radhakrishnan praised members for utilising parliamentary tools sincerely and hoped for continued fruitful debates in future sessions, emphasising their role as custodians of democracy. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
19 December,2025 01:01 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSThe Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab on Friday said it would convene a special session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha next month against the Centre’s “attempt to hit the livelihoods of the poor by replacing the MGNREGA scheme”. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, “The BJP government at the Centre is trying to hit the livelihoods of the poor by replacing the MGNREGA scheme. A special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha will be called in the second week of January to raise the voice of Punjabis against this oppression.” It is learnt that the decision to convene the special Vidhan Sabha session was taken by the party’s top leaders, including AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, on Thursday evening. Currently, Kejriwal is on a three-day tour of the state. Meanwhile, the previous session of Vidhan Sabha, which was also special, held on November 24, was prorogued by the Governor on December 17. The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G) Bill was passed in Parliament amidst protests by Opposition MPs. Earlier, when the Bill was introduced, the AAP had condemned it, saying it was a step by the Union government to dismantle the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and called it a “well-planned deception” aimed at weakening the rights, dignity, and livelihood security of rural labourers. AAP spokesperson Neel Garg had said the Modi government has consistently relied on “hollow slogans and political theatrics to mislead the public, while systematically eroding welfare guarantees meant for the poorest sections of society”. “This is not merely a change of name, nor is it about removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name. The real issue is that the Centre has effectively sounded the death knell for MGNREGA and is trying to hide its anti-labourer agenda behind manufactured TV debates and distractions,” he had said. Garg had questioned how rural labourers would now access employment. “Will a poor worker now have to approach the Prime Minister for work? Even reaching the sarpanch was difficult; this policy completely disconnects employment from the grassroots and centralises power in Delhi,” he had added. Even the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has expressed concern over the Union government's proposal to institute a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and viewed the introduction of a cost-sharing mechanism as fundamentally unacceptable, as it diluted the core essence of the scheme and defeated its primary objective of guaranteeing livelihood security through wage employment in rural areas. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
19 December,2025 12:04 PM IST | Chandigarh | IANSCongress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the Modi government of demolishing 20 years of MGNREGA in a single day, and dubbed the new VB-G RAM G legislation as "anti village". Noting that the VB-G RAM G Bill is not a "revamp" of MGNREGA, Gandhi said in a post on X, "Last night, the Modi government demolished twenty years of MGNREGA in one day. It demolishes the rights-based, demand-driven guarantee and turns it into a rationed scheme which is controlled from Delhi. It is anti-state and anti-village by design." Last night, the Modi government demolished twenty years of MGNREGA in one day. VB–G RAM G isn’t a “revamp” of MGNREGA. It demolishes the rights-based, demand-driven guarantee and turns it into a rationed scheme which is controlled from Delhi. It is anti-state and anti-village… — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 19, 2025 The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha also said that MGNREGA gave the rural worker bargaining power. "With real options, exploitation and distress migration fell, wages increased, working conditions improved, all while building and reviving rural infrastructure. That leverage is precisely what this government wants to break," Gandhi alleged. He said by capping work and creating more ways to deny it, the VB-G RAM G Bill weakens the one instrument the rural poor had. "We saw what MGNREGA meant during Covid. When the economy shut down, and livelihoods collapsed, it kept crores from falling into hunger and debt," Gandhi claimed. It helped women the most, year after year, with women contributing more than half the person-days, the Congress leader said. "When you ration a jobs programme, it is women, Dalits, Adivasis, landless workers and the poorest OBC communities who get pushed out first," he said. "To top it all, this law was bulldozed through Parliament without proper scrutiny. The opposition's demand to send the Bill to a standing committee was rejected. A law that rewires the rural social contract, affecting crores of workers, should never be rammed through without serious committee scrutiny, expert consultation, and public hearings. PM Modi's targets are clear: Weaken labour, weaken the leverage of rural India, especially Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis, centralise power, and then sell slogans as reform," Gandhi said. Asserting that MGNREGA was among the most successful poverty alleviation and empowerment programmes in the world, he said, "We will not let this government destroy the rural poor's last line of defence. We will stand with workers, panchayats, and states to defeat this move and build a nationwide front to ensure this law is withdrawn." Parliament on Thursday night passed the VB-G RAM G Bill that seeks to replace the 20-year-old MGNREGA and guarantees 125 days of rural wage employment every year amid vociferous protests by the opposition. The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha with a voice vote late on Thursday night, hours after the Lok Sabha cleared it, amid strong protests by the opposition over the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the existing rural employment guarantee scheme and accusing the government of putting the financial burden on states.
19 December,2025 12:01 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
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