**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Minister of Rural Development's response to unstarred questions regarding the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, with a focus on its provisions for women, single women, and women-headed households in Maharashtra. The response details the Act's provisions, budgetary allocations, training support, and monitoring mechanisms for the effective implementation of women-centric provisions. The questions were answered on 03/02/2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025:**
* The Act is designed to be inclusive and empowering, with several women-centric provisions.
* At least one-third participation of women is mandatory, with special focus on women-headed households and single women through special job cards.
* Individual assets shall be prioritized for women-headed households as per Para 6 of Schedule I of the Act.
* It prioritizes creation of livelihood related infrastructure (SHG buildings, work sheds, training and skill centres, etc.).
* A distinct Schedule of Rates for women to facilitate their productive involvement.
* Crèche facilities to be provided at worksites where five or more children under five years accompany working women.
* Women will be encouraged to take up the role of Mates, supervising works, ensuring quality and maintaining transparency.
* Their role is further strengthened through active participation in social audits.
* 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.
* Grievance redressal mechanisms shall address grievances related to applicants, which include discrimination, harassment or violation of worker rights.
* **Women's Participation in Maharashtra:**
* Participation of women in the State of Maharashtra under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS is over 45% in the current FY 2025-26.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Single Women and Women-Headed Households in Maharashtra**
* **Impact:** Prioritization for individual assets, special job cards, and increased access to livelihood opportunities and participation in rural development programs.
* **Action Required:** Register for job cards, participate in social audits and utilize grievance mechanisms to report discrimination, harassment or violation of worker rights
**Stakeholder: Central and State Rojgar Guarantee Councils**
* **Impact:** Mandated to have at least one-third representation of women.
* **Action Required:** Ensure at least one-third of members are women.
**Stakeholder: Government of India (Ministry of Rural Development)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for ensuring the Act's provisions are effectively implemented and monitored, including establishing dedicated budgetary allocations and training support for women in Maharashtra.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing and monitoring the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, with focus on Maharashtra, to ensure inclusivity and empowerment for women.
Key Entities Referenced
Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025: Central Act focused on employment and livelihood guarantee, with specific provisions and aims related to women empowerment.
Ministry of Rural Development: The central ministry responsible for administering the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025.
Maharashtra: The state where the impact and implementation of the Act are being assessed, particularly regarding women's participation.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 686
ANSWERED ON 03/02/2026
VIKSIT BHARAT-GUARANTEE FOR ROZGAR AND AJEEVIKA MISSION
686. Dr. AmolRamsingKolhe:
Shri BhaskarMurlidharBhagare:
Prof. VarshaEknathGaikwad:
Shri MohitePatilDhairyasheelRajsinh:
Smt. SupriyaSule:
Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the Viksit Bharat-
Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025
claims to be women-centric with special provisions for single
women and women-headed households, if so, the details
thereof;
(b) whether any assessment has been made of the actual
participation of women beneficiaries under the Act in rural
districts of Maharashtra, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has identified barriers such as lack of
awareness, digital access gaps, mobility constraints or
delayed wage payments affecting women’s participation in
Maharashtra, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether dedicated budgetary allocations, training support and
monitoring mechanisms have been established to ensure
effective implementation of women-centric provisions in
Maharashtra, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government proposes corrective measures to
address shortcomings in reaching single women and women-
headed households in Maharashtra and if so, the details
thereof?
Page 1 of 2ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)
(a) to (e): The Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika
Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 is designed to be inclusive and
empowering with several women-centric provisions to support
women and women-headed households, including those in rural
districts of Maharashtra. 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.
Participation of women in the State of Maharashtra under Mahatma
Gandhi NREGS is over 45% in the current FY 2025-26.
*****
Page 2 of 2