The Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G Act, has been officially notified by the Centre and is set to be enforced nationwide starting July 1, as announced by Union Agricultural Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Under this new law, rural workers will now have a guaranteed 125 days of employment, up from the previous 100 days. The primary objective of the Act is to enhance job opportunities and bolster livelihood security for various segments including laborers, women, farmers, and self-help groups.
Chouhan emphasized that the existing provisions of MGNREGA will remain in place during the transition phase, ensuring the completion of ongoing projects before the full implementation of the new framework. Extensive consultations are being conducted with states to finalize the regulations for execution, with a key focus on preventing any disruption in employment for workers during this period. States will have a grace period of up to six months to prepare for the new system, although if any state fails to meet the deadline, the funding mechanism will still shift to the VB-G RAM G framework for subsequent projects.
Regarding financial allocations, Chouhan disclosed that the Centre has earmarked over Rs 95,000 crore in the Budget, with combined annual funding from the Centre and states expected to surpass Rs 1.51 lakh crore. Payments for wages will be directly transferred to the bank or post office accounts of workers through Direct Benefit Transfer, with efforts to ensure disbursement within three days, and a maximum of 15 days. In cases of delays beyond this period, workers will receive compensation for late payments, along with unemployment benefits if work is not provided upon demand.
The new scheme encompasses a wide array of rural projects such as water conservation, infrastructure development, educational facilities, and support for farming activities. Additionally, infrastructure enhancements for self-help groups and Farmer Producer Organisations are also included in the program. To streamline operations, the administrative expenditure component has been increased from 6% to 9%, guaranteeing prompt salary payments to personnel managing the initiative. Chouhan hailed this legislation as a significant stride towards rural development, expressing optimism that it will elevate the living standards of laborers and contribute to the vision of prosperous villages for a prosperous India.
