BJP MP Kangana Ranaut defended the renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), stating that name changes and reforms are a natural part of governance.

Speaking to reporters, Ranaut said, “Names have been changed earlier as well, and even the Congress has upgraded several names in the past. As times change, upgrades or reforms are introduced, and governments take such steps to bring innovation. So was the earlier name wrong? This argument is incorrect.”

Ranaut’s remarks come amid debates over the proposed changes to MGNREGA, a scheme that has been providing employment and livelihood support to rural households for over 20 years. While the opposition has criticised the renaming and potential changes to the scheme, supporters argue that reforms are necessary to make rural employment programs more efficient, accountable, and aligned with modern administrative practices.