- The Central Government released the draft rules under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VBG RAM-G) and invited suggestions and feedback from the public before finalising them.
- The move comes after the government notified that the new law will come into force across all States and Union Territories from July 1, 2026.
Aim of the Draft Rules
- The Ministry of Rural Development, the proposed rules are designed to create the institutional, administrative, financial, and governance framework necessary for implementing the Act nationwide.
- The rules have been framed under Section 33 and other relevant provisions of the Act and have been placed in the public domain for wider stakeholder consultation.
- The Centre said the consultation process is intended to encourage participatory governance and gather constructive inputs from state governments, experts, institutions, civil society organisations, and citizens.
Key Areas Covered in the Draft Rules
The draft rules include provisions related to:
- Transitional arrangements from MGNREGA to VBG RAM-G
- Constitution of the National Level Steering Committee
- Formation of the Central Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Council
- Administrative expenditure norms
- Grievance redressal mechanisms
- Payment of wages and unemployment allowance
- Handling expenditure beyond approved allocations
- Financial arrangements for Union Territories without legislatures
Officials said these provisions are aimed at ensuring smooth and effective implementation of the new rural employment guarantee framework.
Transition from MGNREGA to VBG RAM-G
One of the most significant aspects of the draft rules is the framework for transitioning from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to the newly introduced VBG RAM-G scheme.
The draft Transitional Provisions Rules provide guidelines for:
- Continuation of ongoing projects
- Settlement of pending liabilities
- Transfer of official records
- Validity of e-KYC verified job cards
- Protection of workers’ rights during the transition phase
The rules also ensure that benefits and protections available to workers under the existing system continue until states formally notify and operationalise the new scheme.
Public Consultation Before Finalisation
- The Ministry has invited feedback and suggestions from stakeholders before issuing the final rules. The government believes that broader consultation will help improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in implementing the new employment guarantee framework in rural areas.
- The VBG RAM-G Act is expected to become the Centre’s new flagship rural livelihood and employment programme, replacing MGNREGA with a revised structure focused on employment generation and rural development.