MGNREGA achieved significant gains, VB-G RAM G represents decisive shift in rural job policy

“The new Act represents a significant upgrade over MGNREGA, fixing structural weaknesses while enhancing employment, transparency, planning and accountability,” the Survey noted.

According to the Survey, the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 is a comprehensive statutory overhaul of MGNREGS, aligning rural employment with the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, while strengthening accountability, infrastructure outcomes and income security.

“The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 represents a decisive shift in India’s rural employment policy. While MGNREGS achieved significant gains in participation, digitisation and transparency over time, persistent structural weaknesses limited its effectiveness,” the Survey said.

“The new Act builds on past improvements while addressing their shortcomings through a modern, accountable and infrastructure-focused framework,” it said.

In December last year, the NDA government repealed the two-decade-old MGNREG Act, 2005 and enacted the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025.

The Opposition criticised the government over several provisions of the VB-G RAM G Act. Among such provisions are fund-sharing pattern (Section 22) and normative allocation (Sub-section 5 of Section 4) and a pause in employment guarantee during peak agriculture season (Section 6).  Full report on               https://indianexpress.com