Mgnrega

VB-G RAM-G's first month: Poor jobs data, but the story is more complex

July persondays fell sharply from MGNREGA levels, but the Centre cites sowing pauses, monsoon recovery and transition issues, while experts say one month is too early to judge

Andhra Pradesh tops job, SHG targets but badly trails on housing and roads

The state exceeded employment and self-help group targets under the Twenty Point Programme but achieved barely a third of its rural housing and road goals in FY26

VB-G RAM G sees 50% drop in rural employment generation in first month

VB-G RAM G generated 77.6 million person-days in July, nearly half the 153.3 million generated under MGNREGA a year ago

Sowing pause in seven states pulls VB-G RAM G person-days down 61% in July

VB-G RAM G work fell 61% in July as seven states paused the scheme for sowing, making year-on-year comparisons with MGNREGA difficult due to the new provision

States owe ₹1.74 crore to MGNREGA workers in delay compensation: Govt data

Maharashtra, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh accounted for the bulk of compensation due, while all states and Union territories have moved to the new rural employment framework

VB G RAM G scheme rules: Performance twist in state fund allocation

States can offset lower formula-based allocations by meeting performance benchmarks under the govt's new funding framework

Best of BS Opinion: India's ethanol blending plans need better design

Today's opinions examine India's ethanol-blending policy, urban employment trends, MGNREGA reforms, energy security after the Strait of Hormuz disruptions, and Project Cheetah

VB-G RAM-G weakens rural employment guarantees, shifts power to Centre

The revamped rural jobs programme weakens the safety net and shifts power from states to the Centre

Centre notifies 3 rules under VB-G RAM G Act for MGNREGS transition

The Centre has notified three sets of rules under the VB-G RAM G Act, laying down the framework for the transition from MGNREGS, payment of wages and unemployment allowance, and expenditure beyond the Centre's normative allocation, government sources said. The rules, notified by the Ministry of Rural Development through separate Gazette notifications dated July 1, came into force from the date of their publication. The draft rules were issued in May and the government had invited feedback on them. The Transitional Provisions Rules provide for an orderly migration from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to the new employment guarantee framework -- Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025. They require state governments to verify all liabilities under MGNREGS existing up to June 30, settle admissible dues and submit audited utilisation certificates within 180 days, extendable by another 90 days by the

VB-G RAM G Act comes into force: Centre hikes average wages by 10%

The Centre has notified minimum wages under the new VB-G RAM G scheme, raising the national effective floor wage to ₹327.4 a day, while Congress called the rates inadequate

VB-G RAM G comes into force Here's how it changes India's rural employment

After 20 years, MGNREGA has officially been replaced by VB-G RAM G (Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission – Gramin). The new rural employment law promises 125 days of guaranteed work

From VB-G RAM G to Delhi EV policy: Key changes taking effect from July 1

From higher rural wages and cheaper commercial LPG to new RBI rules, EV incentives, passport fees and tax deadlines, here are the key changes taking effect from July 1

VB-G RAM G Act to come into force from July 1; Centre says all ready

The Viksit Bharat -- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 will come into force from July 1, with the Centre on Tuesday stating that all arrangements have been made for its implementation. The Ministry of Rural Development said the Act provides a statutory guarantee of up to 125 days of wage employment to eligible rural households, compared to the 100 days provided under the existing rural employment framework. The ministry said an interim allocation of Rs 95,692.31 crore has been made to states and Union Territories to ensure a smooth transition, timely wage payments and uninterrupted implementation of works under the new framework. Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government's priority was to ensure that "no eligible rural worker remains without work even for a single day". He said the Centre and states had worked together to complete administrative, financial and technical preparations for the rollout. The government said ...

Monsoon challenge puts VB G RAM G's performance under the spotlight

As MGNREGA comes to a close, both critics and supporters keenly eye VB G RAM G's performance

VB G RAM G rollout from July 1; transition mechanism put in place

The Centre has deployed senior officials to oversee the nationwide rollout of VB G RAM G as it replaces MGNREGA from July 1

VB-G RAM G funds insufficient for 125-day job promise: Civil society groups

Civil society groups claim the Centre's interim allocation under the new rural jobs scheme would finance far fewer than the promised 125 days of work in several states

Centre announces ₹95,692 crore interim allocation under VB-G RAM G

The interim allocation comes ahead of the formal launch of VB-G RAM G on July 1, 2026, across the country

VB-G RAM G draft rules: Normative funding to be also based on FC's formula

A part of the normative allocation can also be based on fixed 'performance criteria'

Ahead of nationwide rollout, Centre releases draft rules on VB-G RAM G Act

Provides labour budget for 45 crore persondays of work in June 2026 ahead of rollout

Centre releases draft rules for VB-G RAM G Act, invites public feedback

The Centre on Saturday published draft rules under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VBG RAM G) for public consultation, following the notification of the law's implementation across all states and Union Territories from July 1. Framed under Section 33 and other relevant provisions of the Act, the draft rules have been placed in the public domain to facilitate wider stakeholder consultation before they are finalised. The proposed rules cover transitional provisions, the National Level Steering Committee, the Central Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Council, administrative expenses, grievance redressal, payment of wages and unemployment allowance, and expenditure incurred in excess of normative allocations, including expenses for Union Territories without legislatures. Officials in the Ministry of Rural Development said the rules are aimed at establishing the institutional, administrative, financial, and governance framework for implementation of