Govt notifies 375 permissible works under VB-G RAM G, expands scope by 41 per cent
The Centre has introduced 375 new permissible works under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission. The categories include water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and disaster preparedness. An emphasis has been placed on livelihood infrastructure, with 128 works focused on water security. The revised framework replaces MGNREGA with guaranteed wage employment for rural households each year.
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Context
The Union Government has notified 375 permissible works under the new rural employment scheme, the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G) Gramin Act, 2025. This new framework, which replaces , expands the scope of permissible works by 41%, categorizing them into water security, core infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and a new dedicated category for disaster preparedness.
UPSC Perspectives
Governance
The introduction of the signifies a major paradigm shift in rural employment policy, moving from the demand-driven framework of to a guaranteed wage employment system of 125 days per rural household annually. This shift raises important questions about the nature of a rights-based approach to employment versus a guarantee-based approach. The new Act aims for more structured planning through 'Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans', emphasizing decentralized planning (a core tenet of the ) and approval by the . The requirement for digital tracking via the 'Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack' highlights the government's push for e-governance and transparency in scheme implementation. However, the opposition's concerns regarding the 60:40 Centre-state funding ratio and the power given to the Centre to determine normative allocations raise critical issues of fiscal federalism. This could lead to friction if states feel financially burdened by the expenditure beyond the Centre's allocation, impacting the overall effectiveness of the scheme's implementation.
Economic
The economic implications of expanding permissible works under are substantial, particularly the significant increase in livelihood-related works (from 1.1% to 26%). This shift reflects a move beyond mere wage employment (providing temporary income) towards asset creation and livelihood generation (building infrastructure that supports long-term economic activity). Including works like agro-processing units, cold storage, and infrastructure for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) aligns with broader goals of rural industrialization and enhancing the agricultural value chain. This strategy aims to create sustainable economic opportunities within rural areas, potentially reducing distress migration to urban centers. The specific inclusion of individual-beneficiary works (52 for agriculture, 68 for vulnerable households) emphasizes targeted poverty alleviation. The provision allowing states to pause work during peak agricultural seasons (up to 60 days) is economically contentious; while it addresses concerns about agricultural labor shortages (often raised by large farmers), it may restrict income opportunities for landless laborers precisely when they need it most, potentially exacerbating seasonal unemployment challenges.
Environmental
The framework exhibits a clear integration of environmental concerns into rural development planning. Maintaining water security as the largest category (128 works) underscores the critical issue of water scarcity in rural India. The inclusion of works like check dams, recharge shafts, and rainwater harvesting aligns directly with the goals of sustainable water resource management. Furthermore, the introduction of a dedicated category for disaster preparedness (38 works) is a crucial development in building climate resilience. As extreme weather events become more frequent due to climate change, prioritizing works like flood protection and forest-fire management indicates a proactive approach to disaster risk reduction rather than merely reactive relief. This aligns with global commitments like the . By integrating these environmental considerations, the scheme aims to ensure that rural development is not only economically beneficial but also ecologically sustainable, addressing vulnerabilities faced by rural populations dependent on natural resources.