Context:
The Economic Survey 2025–26 highlights the enactment of the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, marking a decisive shift from MGNREGA toward infrastructure-linked, accountable, and climate-resilient rural employment.
Key Highlights:
- Transition from MGNREGA
- MGNREGS acknowledged for gains in participation, digitization, and transparency.
- Persistent structural weaknesses prompted a legislative overhaul.
- MGNREG Act, 2005 repealed (Dec 2025); VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 enacted.
- Objectives of VB-G RAM G
- Modernize rural employment guarantees.
- Strengthen accountability mechanisms.
- Align employment creation with long-term infrastructure and climate resilience goals.
- Support revival of village commons (grazing fields, water bodies).
- Policy and Governance Features
- Employment linked to productive work rather than only wage provision.
- Integration with Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
- Emphasis on asset creation, sustainability, and ecosystem development.
- Criticism & Concerns
- Opposition highlights issues in fund-sharing patterns and normative allocation.
- Employment guarantee may be paused during peak agricultural season, raising livelihood concerns.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- MGNREGS: Guaranteed 100 days of unskilled manual work per rural household.
- VB-G RAM G Act, 2025: Successor legislation emphasizing infrastructure-focused rural employment.
- Viksit Bharat 2047: Vision for India as a developed nation by 2047.
- Village Commons: Community-managed land resources crucial for rural development.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Rural Employment & Livelihood Security
- Shift from mere wage guarantee to productive work.
- Addresses structural inefficiencies in MGNREGS.
- Governance & Accountability
- Enhanced digitization, performance tracking, and fund utilization.
- Integration with climate resilience and infrastructure development.
- Social & Economic Implications
- Promotes sustainable rural livelihoods.
- Potential for skill development, asset creation, and gender-inclusive employment.
Way Forward:
- Ensure proper monitoring and transparency in fund allocation.
- Integrate employment guarantee with broader rural infrastructure planning.
- Maintain safeguards for vulnerable households, especially women.
- Revive and manage village commons effectively to sustain rural ecosystem.
UPSC Relevance:
- GS 2: Governance, rural development, social justice.
- GS 3: Rural economy, infrastructure-linked employment.
- Prelims: MGNREGA, VB-G RAM G Act, Viksit Bharat 2047, village commons.