Punjab govt rolls out VB-G RAM G to strengthen rural employment guarantee
The Minister said that while MGNREGA remained operational till June 30, 2026, the VB G RAM G scheme came into effect from July 1.
The Minister said that while MGNREGA remained operational till June 30, 2026, the VB G RAM G scheme came into effect from July 1.
A major change in the rural employment system has come into effect across Uttar Pradesh and the rest of the country with the Government of India officially replacing the MGNREGA with the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G) Act.
The Jharkhand government urged the Centre to release around Rs 900 crore pending under the material component of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and raise the daily wage rate for workers to Rs 433, flagging the impact of delayed payments and rising rural distress.
The Congress on Monday intensified its attack on the Centre over the proposed rollout of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, accusing the Narendra Modi government of attempting to centralise authority and dilute the legal protections available to rural workers under MGNREGA.
Jharkhand on Saturday raised concerns over pending MGNREGA dues, low wage rates and the proposed funding pattern under the Centre’s new rural scheme during a virtual meeting chaired by Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Dola Sen explains the hidden political message behind renaming & reworking MGNREGA.
He described the move as an injustice to the poor and said the State Government would firmly oppose it.
The VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025 fundamental reforms include increased guaranteed work to 125 days per year, revised Centre-State funding, normative allocation of funds, mandated non-working agricultural periods, and decentralized planning through Gram Panchayats, aiming to modernize and align rural employment with Viksit Bharat 2047.
Just before being adjourned sine die, Parliament passed a key legislation that caused a major uproar - the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, which seeks to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
The Opposition parties, led by the Congress, vehemently opposed the VB-G RAM G bill that seeks to replace the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme.
