Parliament Question: Launching of VB-G RAM-G Scheme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1587 ANSWERED ON 28/07/2026 LAUNCHING OF VB-G RAM-G SCHEME 1587. Shri Subbarayan K: Com. Selvaraj V: Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rojgar and Aajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM-G) Scheme introduced in place of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has come into force from July 1st, 2026; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the protest actions against the replacement of MGNREGS by a new scheme by various organisations; and (d) if so, the details of the concerns expressed by these organisations against the new scheme and demanding the restoration of the old scheme and the reaction of the Government? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN) (a) & (b): The Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 has come into force with effect from 1st July, 2026 in rural areas of the entire country. All States and Union Territories have notified Viksit Bharat G RAM G Scheme in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and have started implementing the same. (c) & (d): Certain expressions of views/concerns by some organisations in relation to the implementation of the VB–G RAM G Act have been reported in sections of the media. The concerns, inter alia, relate to the replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, the continued demand-driven Page 1 of 2nature of the programme and the apprehension that a phase-wise implementation strategy may adversely affect employment opportunities for rural workers. In this regard, it is stated that the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025 preserves the statutory, demand-driven nature of the rural employment guarantee by providing 125 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. The Act further strengthens the programme by placing greater emphasis on sustainable livelihood creation, durable and productive rural assets, water security, climate resilience, transparency and technology- enabled governance, while retaining the statutory right to demand employment and receive unemployment allowance in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Under VB G RAM G, from July 1st 2026, over 99.5% workers who demanded employment have been offered employment and 5.20 Crore persondays have been generated across 8.46 lakh worksites as on 22.07.2026. ***** Page 2 of 2