Photo Source; Babushahi Bureau
Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act to transform rural employment, end corruption:Haryana CM Saini
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, January 5, 2026: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday said that the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 marks a fundamental overhaul of India’s rural employment policy by providing more guaranteed workdays, higher wages, transparent payments and durable asset creation, while addressing corruption and inefficiencies associated with the earlier MGNREGA framework.
Addressing a press conference here, the Chief Minister said the new law is aimed at supporting genuine labourers who were “betrayed under previous governments” and ensures real-time monitoring, transparent wage payments and enhanced employment guarantees. He said rural workers would now contribute directly to building a developed India instead of benefiting corrupt contractors or intermediaries.
Cabinet Ministers Dr. Arvind Sharma, Ranbir Gangwa and Krishan Kumar Bedi, along with Chief Principal Secretary Rajesh Khullar and Media Secretary Praveen Attrey, were also present on the occasion.
CM Saini said the legislation, introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, replaces an outdated system that no longer reflects the realities of a transformed rural economy. He added that the Act is closely linked to the lives and livelihoods of crores of rural labourers, farmers and working families across the country.
Referring to the need for reform, the Chief Minister said MGNREGA was introduced nearly two decades ago in a different economic and social context and successive governments failed to address its structural shortcomings. He noted that rural poverty has declined from over 25 percent in 2011–12 to below 5 percent, alongside major expansion in digital connectivity, banking access, Aadhaar coverage, Direct Benefit Transfers and infrastructure development.
Highlighting key provisions, CM Saini said the employment guarantee has been increased from 100 to 125 days, resulting in an average annual income increase of over ₹7,000 for rural workers nationwide. In Haryana, where wage rates are the highest in the country, workers are expected to earn at least ₹10,000 more annually.
He further said the Centre has allocated a record ₹1.51 lakh crore for the scheme this year, significantly higher than last year’s ₹88,000 crore allocation. The Central Government’s share alone exceeds ₹95,000 crore, with assurances of increased funding in the coming years.
The Chief Minister said that in the current year, over 52 percent Scheduled Caste workers and more than 65 percent women received employment in Haryana under the scheme. He added that the redefined work framework ensures actual labour participation instead of machine-driven execution.
CM Saini said permissible works have been reoriented toward water security, rural infrastructure, livelihood resources and climate-resilient asset creation, with Gram Panchayat plans aligned to the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan. He also announced a 60-day pause during peak agricultural seasons to allow labourers to earn higher market wages and support farming activities.
He said mandatory weekly wage payments, with a maximum delay of 15 days, will ensure timely income and financial empowerment. The scheme also incorporates biometric authentication, direct digital transfers, geo-tagging of assets and satellite monitoring through ISRO’s Bhuvan portal, along with public disclosures and a seven-day grievance redressal mechanism to ensure transparency and accountability.