The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, provides to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work, not less than one hundred and twenty-five days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year.

It is stated that, against provision of 100 days of wage employment under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS, under the New Act, number of guaranteed days of wage employment has been enhanced to 125 Days for every rural household willing to undertake unskilled manual labour work, including farmers. The Act also provides that if employment is not provided within the stipulated time, the worker is entitled to a mandatory unemployment allowance. Thus, both employment and livelihood security are protected as legal rights.

Further, Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) Act is not merely an employment programme. It is a comprehensive framework designed to accelerate rural development through four thematic work domains of water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood related activities and works to mitigate extreme weather events. Many of the works under these domains strengthen agriculture ecosystem and support farmers. The Act supports farmers by facilitating labour availability during peak agricultural seasons. It is widely recognised that during peak sowing and harvesting periods, farmers often face labour shortages, which can lead to crop losses. To address this, States have been empowered to notify an aggregate of 60 days in a year during peak agricultural seasons when programme works may be paused. This ensures that agricultural operations continue smoothly and that farmers receive timely labour support when they need it the most. This provision is a significant relief for the farming community.

The new Act places strong emphasis on water security, which is fundamental to agriculture. Priority is given to works such as ponds, check dams, farm ponds, canals, groundwater recharge structures, and micro-irrigation support systems. These interventions will expand irrigation coverage, reduce dependence on erratic rainfall, and improve crop resilience. The approach is not only for present needs but also for long-term sustainability and future generations.

The Act also recognises that farmers’ challenges do not end at production. Post-harvest management is equally critical. Therefore, the permissible works also include creation of farm-level storage, warehouses, rural haats, and cold storage infrastructure. These facilities help farmers store produce safely, avoid distress sales, and obtain better market prices, thereby improving farm incomes.

In addition, Act responds to the growing risks from climate variability and natural disasters. Works relating to flood control, embankments, water conservation, disaster shelters, and post-disaster reconstruction are included. This strengthens resilience of villages and farmlands while also generating employment during times of crisis.

The new Act promotes diversified livelihoods linked to agriculture, including livestock rearing, fisheries, vermi-composting, nurseries, horticulture, and value addition activities. This enables farmers to increase income from multiple sources, generate local opportunities, reduce distress migration, and build prosperous rural economies.                                                               

It is stated that, after the commencement of Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] by the Central Government, the States/ UTs shall notify their respective schemes and commence implementation.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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MS