Parliament Question: Impact of VB-G RAM-G Act on MGNREGA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1757 ANSWERED ON 10/02/2026 EMPLOYMENT FOR RURAL WOMEN UNDER MGNREGS 1757. MsSayani Ghosh: Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS) has been a major source of paid employment for rural women, with womenaccounting for a high share of person-days generated under the Scheme, if so, the detailsthereof; (b) whether the Government acknowledges concerns that the replacement of a demanddriven guarantee with conditional and shrinking job availability under Viksit Bharat – Guaranteefor Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM-G) may disproportionately excludewomen, especially from marginalised communities, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether any gender impact national assessment has been conducted to examine howreduced guaranteed work may affect female labour force participation, wage parity and economicindependence for States, if so, the details thereof, State-wise including West Bengal; (d) whether the Government has assessed the risk that reduced MGNREGS availability maypush women into unpaid or informal work with lower wages and poorer conditions, if so, thedetails thereof; and (e) whether any consultation with MGNREGS workers, women’s groups or StateGovernments, including West Bengal, was undertaken before enacting VB-G RAM-G, if so, thedetails thereof, State-wise? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN) (a): The participation of women under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGS has consistently been more than 50% in the last three Page 1 of 3financial years and current financial year 2025-26 (as on 06.02.2026). (b) to (e): The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 strengthens and expands the guarantee framework by providing a statutory guarantee of at least 125 days of wage employment per rural household per financial year, increased from 100 days, thereby enhancing rural income and livelihood security. It includes a stronger statutory unemployment allowance, payable if work is not provided within the stipulated time, with rates linked to the notified wage rate. Further, by increasing guaranteed days and ensuring time-bound wage payments and unemployment allowance, the Act strengthens household income stability, supporting food security and consumption smoothing for rural families. Under the new Act, works are prioritised across four themes— water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure, and mitigation of extreme weather events—leading to creation of durable and productive rural assets. The Act adopts a forward- looking framework by promoting durable, productivity-enhancing assets and, through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans and convergence, links wage employment with asset creation, infrastructure gap saturation and long-term livelihood enhancement. Livelihood-related infrastructure focuses on productive assets that directly generate income and employment, such as rural haats, storage structures, work sheds, and livestock or fisheries infrastructure, thereby strengthening agriculture, improving market access and promoting local enterprises. Thus, rather than shrinking the job availability and employment guarantee, the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 expands the employment guarantee for all categories of beneficiaries including women, strengthens legal entitlements and aligns rural employment with sustainable livelihood creation and climate-resilient development. Page 2 of 3Additionally, the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 is designed to be gender- inclusive, with several women-centric provisions to support women and women-headed households in rural area. These provisions are as follows: 1. At least one-third participation of women is mandatory, with special focus on women-headed households and single women through special job cards. 2. As per the Para 6 of Schedule I of the Act, individual asset shall be prioritized for women-headed households. 3. The Act prioritises creation of livelihood related infrastructure i.e. SHG buildings, work sheds, training and skill centres, compost and vermi-compost units, nurseries, livestock shelters, fisheries infrastructure, storage facilities, rural haats etc. These productive assets directly strengthen women and SHGs. 4. A distinct Schedule of Rates for women to facilitate their productive involvement. 5. Crèche facilities to be provided at worksites where five or more children under five years accompany working women. 6. Women will also be encouraged to take up the role of Mates, supervising works, ensuring quality and maintaining transparency. 7. Their role is further strengthened through active participation in social audits, where women help ensure that work is done properly and payments reach on time. 8. In addition to the above, one-third representation of women is mandatory in the Central Rojgar Guarantee Council and the State Rojgar Guarantee Councils to be constituted under the Act. 9. The Grievance redressal mechanisms shall address the grievances related to applicants, which include; discrimination, harassment or violation of worker rights, including women and vulnerable groups. ***** Page 3 of 3