Need to add more items to VB GRAM G Scheme and take comprehensive measures to make the scheme more relevant and effective-Laid

Need to add more items to VB GRAM G Scheme and take comprehensive measures to make the scheme more relevant and effective-Laid SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL (KURUKSHETRA): I wish to bring to the notice of the Government towards the need for introducing an innovative add on in the recently launched VB-GRAM-G Scheme to enhance rural incomes, improve agricultural productivity and strengthen transparency in the implementation of the Scheme. The Government should include select labour-intensive agricultural operations in the farmers' fields among the approved works under the Scheme. Under this framework, the Government would continue to pay the full notified wage to eligible workers in accordance with the Scheme, while farmers may be permitted to pay an additional incentive directly to the workers engaged on their fields. Such an arrangement would augment the earnings of rural workers without imposing any additional financial burden on the Government, while ensuring timely availability of labour for critical agricultural operations. The proposed initiative, would go a long way in strengthening the implementation architecture of the Scheme. As the farmers would voluntarily contribute an additional incentive from their own resources, they would have a natural stake in ensuring that attendance records faithfully reflect the work actually performed. This would introduce an additional layer of stakeholder verification, reinforce transparency and accountability, and enhance public confidence in the Scheme. I, therefore, urge the Government to expeditiously launch this add on with suitable safeguards and eligibility criteria. By bringing together Public Wage Guarantee with Voluntary Private Incentive, the initiative could create a virtuous cycle of higher rural incomes, improved farm productivity, greater community participation and more effective implementation of the VB-GRAM-G Scheme.