VB-G RAM G Act 2025 Ensures Employment Security and Transparency for Rural Workers: Haryana Minister
New legislation increases guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125, promises corruption-free implementation with real-time monitoring and biometric authentication
Chandigarh/Rewari – Haryana Health and AYUSH Minister Aarti Rao announced that the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 will ensure corruption-free rural employment while maintaining complete transparency through advanced monitoring systems and direct benefit transfers.
Addressing a press conference in Rewari on Wednesday, the Minister described the legislation as a historic step by Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards workers’ welfare and rural development, calling it a milestone in building a developed India.
Enhanced Employment Guarantee
The Act significantly expands employment security by increasing the guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125 days annually. This enhancement is expected to boost the annual income of unskilled rural workers by over Rs. 7,000 across the country. In Haryana, where wage rates are higher, each worker will receive at least Rs. 10,000 more annually.
“This Act guarantees a higher number of workdays, improved wage rates, transparent payments, and the creation of sustainable assets in rural areas,” Rao stated while extending Makar Sankranti greetings to the people of the state.
Increased Central Allocation
To support effective implementation, the central government has allocated Rs. 1,51,282 crore this year, a substantial increase from last year’s record allocation of Rs. 88,000 crore. The Minister emphasized that this year’s allocation has surpassed all previous levels, demonstrating the government’s commitment to rural employment.
Transparency and Anti-Corruption Measures
The legislation incorporates several safeguards to ensure genuine workers receive their entitlements with complete transparency. Key measures include biometric authentication and attendance systems to eliminate fake workers, duplicate job cards, and fraudulent payments.
Direct digital transfer of wages and allowances will remove intermediaries, prevent delays, and curb misuse of funds. The Act also mandates weekly wage payments, with a permissible delay of up to 15 days, enabling workers to receive earnings promptly and strengthening their financial independence.
Additionally, geo-tagging and satellite imagery have been made mandatory for all projects. Assets created under the Act will be geo-tagged and uploaded on ISRO’s Bhuvan portal, preventing the registration of fictitious projects and ensuring real-time monitoring.
Expanded Scope of Work
The new framework significantly broadens the range of permissible works beyond the limited nature of earlier MGNREGA employment. The Act now includes works related to water security, rural infrastructure, livelihood resources, and the creation of climate-resilient and sustainable assets.
Gram Panchayat development plans have been integrated with the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan to ensure village-level development aligns with national priorities.
Agricultural Season Consideration
The legislation introduces a 60-day pause during peak agricultural seasons, allowing farmers and laborers to work together. This provision enables workers to earn higher market wages during agricultural periods while ensuring labor availability for farming activities.
Rural Development Context
Minister Rao highlighted the transformation in rural India over the past two decades. Rural poverty, which stood at over 25 percent in 2011-12, has declined to below 5 percent. She attributed this change to the positive policies of the central government, which have helped more than 25 percent of the population move above the poverty line.
The Minister noted that over the past decade under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, there has been unprecedented expansion in digital connectivity, banking services, Direct Benefit Transfer systems, Aadhaar integration, and infrastructure development in rural areas.
MLAs Laxman Singh Yadav, Dr. Krishan Kumar, and Anil Yadav were also present at the press conference.
