VB G RAM G
VB–G RAM G
Viksit Bharat – Employment and Livelihood Guarantee Mission (Gramin)
VB–G RAM G is a statutory rural livelihood programme being implemented by the Government of India to ensure job security and sustainable livelihoods to the rural households. The scheme is called Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin). The scheme has come into effect from 1st July, 2026 in the rural areas of the country.
◆ Employment guarantee
A key feature of the scheme is to ensure 125 days of wage employment every financial year to the adult members of rural households willing to do unskilled manual work.
In order to ensure the availability of labour during peak hours in the agriculture sector, the works may be arranged for a maximum period of 60 days as may be prescribed by the State Government. Eligible 125 days of employment guarantee will be available to the workers.
◆ Key objectives
- Ensure income and job security for rural households.
• Provide timely employment to deserving persons seeking employment.
- Productive and sustainable rural assets creation.
• Promote water conservation, soil conservation, agricultural development and greening.
- Ensuring people's participatory development planning under the leadership of Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats.
- Linking employment projects with rural livelihood development.
- Ensure transparent and accountable project management.
◆ Jan Bhagidari Planning
The works in the project are being planned from the ground up taking into account the local needs. The Gram Panchayat in consultation with the Gram Sabhas will identify necessary works and prioritize them.
These works will be included as part of the annual plan called the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan. The projects will then be coordinated at the block, district and state levels.
◆ Key areas of work
• Water conservation: Renovation of ponds, check dams, reservoirs and canals.
• Soil Conservation: Conservation of soil bunds, conduit bunds, and slopes.
- Rural infrastructure: footpaths, connectivity roads and public utilities.
• Green Development: Tree plantation, maintenance and social forestry.
• Natural Resource Management: Conservation and Restoration of Land, Water and Soil.
- Livelihood support: Development of income generating productive assets.
◆ Workers' rights
• The right to demand employment.
• The right to 125 days of legally guaranteed employment.
• The right to get employment within the stipulated time frame.
• The right to be paid in a timely manner for the work done.
• The right to receive wages directly into the bank account.
• The right to a safe working environment.
• The right to check information about employment, attendance and wages.
• The right to lodge complaints and seek redress.
• The right to participate in a social audit.
◆ Transparency and Digital Surveillance
Attendance of workers, work progress, location of assets, distribution of wages and expenses will be recorded and monitored.
- Biometric/digital attendance systems.
- Geo-tagging of works and assets.
- Mobile-based reporting.
• Real-time dashboards.
- Digital records of assets built-up.
- People's Boards at Work Places.
- Public display of information such as work, expenditure, wages, attendance etc.
◆ Social Audit and Grievance Redressal
Social Audit will be conducted with the participation of Gram Sabhas and people. Muster Rolls, Bills, Vouchers, Measure Books, Administrative Clearances, Expenditure Records, Geo-tagged information etc. will be made available for public inspection.
Workers can lodge complaints on issues such as non-availability of employment, delay in wages, errors in attendance records, quality of work, registration, etc.
◆ Duties of the Grama Panchayat
- Registration of eligible rural households.
• Accept and record the application of those seeking employment.
• Identify the works through the Gram Sabha and set priorities.
• Prepare a developed Gram Panchayat Plan.
• Start and complete the approved works in a time-bound manner.
• Keep records such as muster roll, attendance, measurebook, bills, vouchers, etc.
- Coordinate measures for payment of wages to workers.
- Ensure technical standards and quantities of works.
- Geo-tagging of works and assets.
• To make the records available to the Gram Sabha for social audit.
• Receive complaints and ensure resolution.
◆ Project administration
The VB-G RAM G programme is implemented at Centre, State, District, Block and Gram Panchayat levels. The core implementation components are Central Government/ Central Council at the Central level, State Government/ State Council at the State level, District Programme Coordinator at the district level, Programme Officer at the block level and Gram Panchayat at the village level.
The Gram Sabha is an important platform for people's participation and social audit. The Gram Panchayat performs planning, execution, recordkeeping, transparency and coordination of wage distribution.
◆ Target
The main objective of the VB–G RAM G project is to provide a guarantee of employment to the demanding rural households, convert employment opportunities into sustainable livelihoods and create rural assets that protect water, soil, agriculture and environment. The scheme also aims at building a strong and accountable rural development system through people's participation, digital monitoring, social audit and transparency.
