Parliament Question: Integration of VB-G Ram-G with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1745 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/02/2026 INTEGRATION OF VB-G RAM-G WITH PM GATI SHAKTI NATIONAL MASTER PLAN 1745 Prof. Manoj Kumar Jha: Will the Minister of Rural Development be pleased to state: (a) whether planning under Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAM-G) requires integration with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan; (b) if so, whether this centralizes decision-making that was earlier decentralized to Gram Panchayats; (c) whether Gram Sabhas retain autonomy to decide work priorities based on local needs; and (d) if not, whether this dilutes participatory planning mechanisms? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN) (a): The primary objective of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, is to align the rural development framework with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 by providing an enhanced statutory wage employment guarantee of one hundred and twenty-five days in each financial year to such rural households whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work, thereby enabling them to participate more effectively in the expanded livelihood security framework. As per Schedule I of the Act, to institutionalise convergence, saturation-driven planning and whole of government delivery through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, integrated with the PM Gati Shakti to address the varying needs of Gram Panchayats, powered by geospatial systems, digital public infrastructure, district and State planning mechanisms, with such plans aggregated at the Block, District, State and National levels. (b) to (d): With regards to role of Panchayat in implementation of VB-G RAM-G it is stated that in section 16 of the Act, role of the Panchayat Raj Institutions in planning and implementation of VB-G RAM G Schemes has been clearly defined, which are as follows: - (1) The Panchayats at the district, intermediate and village levels shall be the principal authorities for planning, implementation and monitoring of the Scheme made under the Act. (2) The Panchayat at the district level, shall oversee and coordinate implementation of the Scheme in the district, including finalisation and approval of the aggregate district level plan, Page 1 of 2supervision and monitoring of works, ensuring convergence, and perform such other functions as may be assigned to it by the State Government. (3) The Panchayat at the intermediate level, shall prepare and finalise the aggregate Block level plan, support Gram Panchayats in planning and implementation, supervise works at Gram Panchayat and Block levels, and facilitate convergence with line departments. (4) The Gram Panchayat shall register households, receive and process applications for work, prepare the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, execute the works assigned to it, maintain such records as may be specified by the State Government, and discharge such other responsibilities as may be entrusted to it under the Scheme. Additionally, the Gram Panchayat is the primary village-level authority for planning, implementation, and execution of works under the Scheme. It is responsible for registering rural households and issuing Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards, receiving and processing applications for work, and maintaining all related records. It executes works allotted by the Programme Officer and may take up any sanctioned work from the approved Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan within its jurisdiction, with at least fifty percent of the total works (in cost terms) to be implemented through Gram Panchayats. Gram Panchayat is required to maintain muster rolls and other prescribed records, ensure that works meet required technical standards and measurements, and follow digital and transparency requirements. It must place all relevant documents, including muster rolls, bills, vouchers, measurement books, sanction orders, and geo-tagged and digital records before the Gram Sabha to enable regular social audits and public scrutiny, thereby supporting transparency, accountability, and grievance redressal in implementation. Further Sub Para 2 of Para 5 of Schedule I stipulate that Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan shall be prepared by the Gram Panchayat and placed before Gram Sabha for approval. Overall, the Act positions the Gram Panchayat as the principal grassroot institution responsible for demand registration, participatory planning, decentralised execution, worker engagement, and public accountability under the Scheme framework. The experience gained through implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS has also been taken into account while framing the new Act. ***** Page 2 of 2