Implementation Of Viksit Bharat – G RAM G Act

Implementation Of Viksit Bharat – G RAM G Act

Why in the News?

• The Ministry of Rural Development has notified the nationwide implementation of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act from 1 July 2026.
• The Act replaces the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and guarantees 125 days of wage employment annually to rural households.
• The Union Government has allocated ₹95,692 crore for operationalising the new framework during the current financial year.

Key features of the VB-G RAM G Act

• Enhanced employment guarantee: The Act increases guaranteed wage employment from 100 days to 125 days per financial year.
• Unemployment allowance provision: Rural households are entitled to an allowance if employment is not provided within the stipulated time.
• Transparent wage payments: The framework emphasises timely, accountable, and transparent wage disbursement mechanisms.
• Women-friendly provisions: Childcare support has been introduced at worksites where five or more children below five years are present.
• Rural development focus: The legislation aims to align employment generation with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, promoting sustainable development and environmental democracy in rural planning.

Significance and concerns

• Income security: The increased work guarantee may provide stronger livelihood support for rural households and vulnerable communities.
• Women’s participation: Childcare facilities could improve women’s workforce participation in rural employment programmes.
• Shift from rights-based model: Critics argue the replacement of MGNREGA may dilute the earlier scheme’s strong rights-based framework, similar to concerns raised in the Vanashakti judgment regarding procedural safeguards.
• Financial implications: Some States have expressed concerns regarding the revised funding structure and administrative burden.
• Implementation challenge: Effective rollout will depend on digital monitoring, timely fund release, and coordination between Centre and States, while avoiding ex-post compliance issues in project approvals.