Lok Sabha Question No. 1797 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Implementation of VB G RAM G
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1797 ANSWERED ON 10/02/2026

## IMPLEMENTATION OF VB G RAM G

## 1797. Shri MadhavaneniRaghunandan Rao:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and AjeevikaGramin (VB G RAM G)schemes is being implemented for farmers;
- (b) whether working days have been increased under the Employment Guarantee Scheme;
- (c) whether there are any irregularities in the scheme, if so, the measures taken by theGovernment;
- (d) the details of the scheme's implementation in Medak Parliamentary Constituency includingthe number of beneficiaries and employment generated so far; and
- (e) whether any irregularities reported in the VBG RAM G scheme and employment guaranteescheme specifically in Medak Parliamentary Constituency and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)

(a)&(b): 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 storage, These facilities  help  farmers store  produce safely, avoid distress sales, and permissible works also include creation of farm-level warehouses, rural haats, and cold storage infrastructure. 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.

(c)to(e): 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.

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