Kolkata, July 24, 2026

In an answer to the unstarred question raised in the Rajya Sabha by MP Shri Derek O’ Brien regarding whether Government has assessed the status of rural employment in the country, including employment generation under schemes such as VB-G Ram G during the last five years, the Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan stated that Government continuously reviews the implementation of the programme in consultation with the States/UTs and takes appropriate measures to address implementation-related issues. Under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS, employment was provided to all rural households that demanded work, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The number of person-days generated varied across States/UTs and financial years depending upon the demand for employment registered by rural households.

Shri O’ Brien also posed the question regarding whether Government has examined challenges affecting rural employment, including delayed wage payments, reduced person-days of work, and migration pressures, if so, the findings of such examination and also whether Government proposes to strengthen rural employment generation through enhanced funding, timely wage disbursal, skill-linked work opportunities, and convergence with livelihood schemes, if so, the details and timelines thereof.  In answer to that, Shri Paswan stated, for Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) Act, which has been operationalized with effect from 01.07.2026 a comprehensive online Management Information System (MIS) has been put in place for real time monitoring of implementation and addressing the issues if any faced by implementing agencies. Further, the Ministry has deputed a large number of officers to the States to review its implementation and provide handholding support to States. 

         The minister added that, to ensure timely wage payments, the Ministry has implemented the National Electronic Fund Management System (NeFMS) and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), under which wages are directly credited into the bank accounts of beneficiaries. The Ministry has also issued detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) prescribing timelines and responsibilities at various levels for timely processing of wage payments. Further, technology-enabled Management Information Systems (MIS) are used for real-time monitoring and tracking of wage payments, pendency at different stages, and regular review with the States/UTs to facilitate timely resolution of issues. In addition, the Ministry regularly releases funds to the States/UTs based on the actual demand from ground and fulfilment of statutory and financial requirements, to ensure smooth implementation of the programme.

The Government has enacted the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB–G RAM G Act, 2025, which has come into force with effect from 1st July, 2026 across all rural areas of the country, Shri Paswan said. He added, the Act strengthens the rural employment guarantee framework by enhancing the statutory employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days per rural household in a financial year.

The Government has made adequate budgetary provision for effective implementation of the programme. For the financial year 2026–27, a Central share of ₹95,692.31 crore has been provided for the Scheme, representing the highest-ever Budget Estimate for rural employment. With the corresponding estimated State share, the total programme outlay is expected to exceed ₹1.51 lakh crore.

In fact, to ensure timely wage disbursal, the Ministry has implemented the National Electronic Fund Management System (NeFMS) and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), and established technology-enabled Management Information Systems (MIS) for real-time monitoring and review of wage payments.

The Act accords high priority to Livelihood-related Infrastructure as one of its core thematic areas and adopts a Whole-of-Government Approach through convergence with agriculture, allied sectors and other Government programmes. It permits the creation of rural infrastructure such as Skill Development Centres, Rural Libraries, Digital Learning Centres and other community assets that promote skilling, learning and sustainable livelihoods.

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SSS/Kol/24.7.26…..

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