India launches VB‑G RAM G, a revamped rural jobs programme to replace MGNREGA
The new scheme raises guaranteed workdays, shifts funding to a 60:40 centre‑state split and targets durable village assets, with Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra set to gain most.
The central government has announced that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) will be phased out and replaced by a fresh initiative called VB‑G RAM G. Designed to strengthen rural livelihoods, the program promises a higher number of guaranteed employment days for households across the countryside.
Under VB‑G RAM G, the financial model has been overhauled. The centre will shoulder 60 percent of the programme’s costs while the remaining 40 percent will be contributed by individual states. This cost‑sharing arrangement is intended to encourage greater state participation and tailor implementation to local priorities. The revised allocation framework also seeks to streamline disbursements and reduce delays in wage payments.
Beyond simply providing wages, the scheme emphasizes the creation of long‑lasting assets. Work under VB‑G RAM G will be linked to the construction and maintenance of village‑level infrastructure such as roads, water harvesting structures, and community facilities. By tying employment to tangible projects, the government aims to address both poverty alleviation and the chronic shortage of rural assets.
Early projections suggest that the two most populous states, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, will be the largest beneficiaries. Their extensive rural populations and existing infrastructure gaps position them to absorb a significant share of the programme’s funds and labour. Officials anticipate that the increased workdays and state‑center partnership will generate a surge in wage‑earning opportunities for millions of workers in these regions.
The transition to VB‑G RAM G marks a strategic shift in India’s approach to rural employment. By boosting guaranteed job days, revising funding responsibilities, and focusing on durable village assets, the government hopes to deliver a more sustainable safety net for the country’s agrarian workforce while also laying the groundwork for long‑term rural development.