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Lok Sabha Debates VB-G Ram Ji Bill, Passes SHANTI Bill

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
  • Dec 17, 2025
  • 536

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday began deliberations on the Development of India–Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural), or VB-G Ram Ji Bill, 2025 at 5.40 pm. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged the Opposition to hear his response after the debate, asserting that the Bill proposes to raise guaranteed rural employment from 100 to 125 days annually, with the objective of making villages poverty-free.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the House would hold an extensive discussion on the legislation and, if required, proceedings could continue late into the night.

Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha passed the Sustainable Harnessing of Atomic Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill. The Bill was cleared by voice vote amid an Opposition walkout and seeks to open the nuclear sector to private participation.

Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Atomic Energy Dr Jitendra Singh said the SHANTI Bill would provide a fresh impetus to India’s development journey. Emphasising India’s expanding global role, he said the country must align with global standards and strategies, especially as the world shifts towards clean energy. He added that India has set a target of achieving 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047.

Meanwhile, Congress MPs met at the Congress Parliamentary Party office, issued a whip to their members, and staged a protest outside Parliament against the VB-G Ram Ji Bill. The Opposition has alleged that the SHANTI Bill dilutes provisions of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, which fixed liability on suppliers of nuclear equipment in the event of an accident.