Parliament Question: Welfare Measures for Rural Labourers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 71 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026 WELFARE MEASURES FOR RURAL LABOURERS 71. SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN: Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state: (a)whether the Government has any plans to introduce new regulations aimed at improving the working conditions of rural labourers; (b)if so, the details thereof; (c)whether the Government maintains data on the average number of workdays available to rural labourers annually and if so, the details thereof; (d)the details of the facilities and benefits currently being provided by the Government to rural labourers; and (e)whether the Government proposes to consider the establishment of a monitoring mechanism, such as labour tribunal at the block levels to address labour-related grievances in rural areas and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE) (a) to (e): Under the erstwhile Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS), which remained in force up to 30.06.2026, employment was provided to every rural household whose adult members demanded unskilled manual work, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. With effect from 01.07.2026, the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) Act, 2025 has come into force, replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005. New scheme provides for one hundred and twenty-five days of guaranteed wage employment to eligible rural households in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Contd..2/-:: 2 :: Details of average days of employment provided per household under the erstwhile Mahatma Gandhi NREGS in the last three financial years are given below: Financial Year Average days of employment provided per Household 2023-24 52.08 2024-25 50.24 2025-26 43.20 As per NREGASoft Following welfare measures have been stipulated for workers under VB G RAM G at worksite, as elaborated in Schedule II of VB G RAM G, 2025: - i. The facilities of safe drinking water, shade for children and periods of rest, first aid box with adequate material for emergency treatment for minor injuries and other health hazards connected with the work being performed shall be provided at the works site. ii. In case the number of children below the age of five years accompanying the women working at any site is five or more, provision shall be made to depute one of such women workers to look after such children. The person so deputed shall be paid wage rate. iii. If any personal injury is caused to any person employed under the Scheme by any accident arising out of and in the course of his employment, he shall be entitled to such medical treatment as required, free of cost. iv. Where hospitalisation of the injured worker is necessary, the State Government shall arrange for such hospitalisation including accommodation, treatment, medicines and payment of daily allowance which is not less than half of the wage rate. v. If a person employed under the Scheme meets with death or becomes permanently disabled by accident arising out of and in the course of employment, he or his legal heirs, as the case may be, shall be paid by the implementing agency an ex gratia as per entitlements under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana or as may be notified by the Central Government. Contd..3/-:: 3 :: vi. If any personal injury is caused by accident to a child accompanying a person who is employed under the Scheme, such person shall be entitled to medical treatment free of cost; and in case of death or disablement of the child due to the said accident, ex gratia shall be paid to the legal guardians as determined by the State Government. *****