VB-G RAM G for up to 125 days of guaranteed rural employment to roll out today

Summary

The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, (VB-G RAM G), 2025 is set to come into effect on Wednesday, with the Centre announcing on Tuesday that all necessary arrangements have been completed for its implementation. The Ministry of Rural Development said the Act guarantees up to 125 days of wage employment for eligible rural households, providing a statutory entitlement that increases the existing limit of 100 days under the current rural employment framework. It said that an interim allocation of Rs 95,692.31 crore has been made to states and Union Territories (UTs) to facilitate a smooth transition, ensure timely wage payments, and support the uninterrupted execution of works under the new framework. Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Centre aims to ensure that "no eligible rural worker remains without work even for a single day." He added that the central and state governments worked together to complete administrative, financial and technical preparations for the rollout of the Act. In view of the pending rollout of VB-G RAM G, the Centre on Tuesday notified revised wage rates under the new rural employment guarantee scheme. The national average wage has now increased from Rs 298.8 per day under MGNREGA to Rs 327.4 per day under VB-G RAM G, an average increase of Rs 28.6 per day. The Centre said existing e-KYC-verified job cards will remain valid until the issuance of the new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards. Gram panchayats will continue to play a crucial role in implementing the scheme, with a focus on natural resource management, water conservation, agriculture and allied activities, rural infrastructure, and women's empowerment, according to the rural development ministry. The rollout comes amid criticism from opposition parties and rural employment activists, who have expressed concerns over changes in the existing rural employment guarantee framework. The government has repeatedly asserted that the new framework will strengthen rural livelihood security, enhance asset creation, and offer a more comprehensive approach to employment generation.