Lok Sabha Question No. 1757 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Impact of VB-G RAM-G Act on MGNREGA
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Ms Sayani Ghosh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1757 ANSWERED ON 10/02/2026

## EMPLOYMENT FOR RURAL WOMEN UNDER MGNREGS

## 1757. MsSayani Ghosh:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS) has been a major source of paid employment for rural women, with womenaccounting  for  a  high  share  of  person-days  generated under the Scheme, if so, the detailsthereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  acknowledges  concerns  that  the replacement of a demanddriven guarantee with conditional and shrinking  job  availability  under  Viksit  Bharat  -  Guaranteefor Rozgar  and  Ajeevika  Mission  (Gramin)  (VB-G  RAM-G)  may disproportionately excludewomen, especially from marginalised communities, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  any  gender  impact  national  assessment  has  been conducted  to  examine  howreduced  guaranteed  work  may affect female  labour  force  participation,  wage  parity  and economicindependence  for  States,  if  so,  the  details  thereof, State-wise including West Bengal;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  risk  that  reduced MGNREGS availability maypush women into unpaid or informal work with lower wages and poorer conditions,  if so, thedetails thereof; and
- (e) whether  any  consultation  with  MGNREGS  workers,  women's groups  or  StateGovernments,  including  West  Bengal,  was undertaken  before  enacting  VB-G  RAM-G,    if  so,  thedetails thereof, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a):       The  participation  of  women  under  the  Mahatma  Gandhi NREGS  has  consistently  been  more  than  50%  in  the  last  three

financial years and current financial year 2025-26 (as on 06.02.2026).

(b)  to  (e):  The  Viksit  Bharat-Guarantee  for  Rozgar  and  Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 strengthens and expands the  guarantee  framework  by  providing a  statutory  guarantee  of  at least  125  days  of  wage  employment  per  rural  household  per financial  year,  increased  from  100  days,  thereby  enhancing  rural income  and  livelihood  security. It  includes  a  stronger  statutory unemployment allowance, payable if work is not provided within the stipulated time, with rates linked to the notified wage rate. Further, by  increasing  guaranteed  days  and  ensuring  time-bound  wage payments and unemployment allowance, the Act strengthens household income stability, supporting food security and consumption smoothing for rural families.

Under the new Act, works are prioritised across four themeswater  security,  core  rural  infrastructure,  livelihood  infrastructure, and  mitigation  of  extreme  weather  events-leading  to  creation  of durable  and  productive  rural  assets. The  Act  adopts  a  forwardlooking  framework  by  promoting  durable,  productivity-enhancing assets and, through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans and convergence, links  wage  employment  with  asset  creation,  infrastructure  gap saturation and long-term livelihood enhancement. Livelihood-related infrastructure  focuses  on  productive  assets  that  directly  generate income  and  employment,  such  as  rural  haats,  storage  structures, work  sheds, and livestock or fisheries infrastructure, thereby strengthening agriculture, improving market access and promoting local enterprises.

Thus, rather than shrinking the job availability and employment  guarantee,  the  VB-G  RAM  G  Act,  2025  expands  the employment guarantee for all categories of beneficiaries including women, strengthens legal entitlements and aligns rural employment with sustainable livelihood creation and climate-resilient development.

Additionally,  the  VB-G  RAM  G  Act,  2025  is  designed  to  be  genderinclusive, with several women-centric provisions to support women and women-headed households in rural area. These provisions are as follows:

1. At  least  one-third  participation  of  women  is  mandatory,  with special focus on women-headed households and single women through special job cards.
2. As  per  the  Para  6  of  Schedule  I  of  the  Act,  individual  asset shall be prioritized for women-headed households.
3. The Act prioritises creation of livelihood related infrastructure i.e.  SHG  buildings,  work  sheds,  training  and  skill  centres, compost and vermi-compost units, nurseries, livestock shelters, fisheries infrastructure, storage facilities, rural haats etc.  These  productive  assets directly  strengthen  women  and SHGs.
4. A  distinct  Schedule  of  Rates  for  women  to  facilitate  their productive involvement.
5. Crèche  facilities  to  be  provided  at  worksites  where  five  or more children under five years accompany working women.
6. Women will also be encouraged to take up the role of Mates, supervising works, ensuring quality and maintaining transparency.
7. Their role is further strengthened through active participation in social audits, where women help ensure that work is done properly and payments reach on time.
8. In addition to the above, one-third representation of women is mandatory  in  the  Central  Rojgar  Guarantee   Council  and  the State Rojgar Guarantee  Councils to be constituted under the Act.
9. The Grievance redressal mechanisms  shall address the grievances related to applicants, which include; discrimination, harassment or violation of worker rights, including women and vulnerable groups.

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