From MGNREGA to VB-G RAM-G: J&K Overhauls Rural Employment Guarantee

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has announced a transition to the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) starting July 1, aiming for higher efficiency and tech-driven rural job support.

The familiar cadence of the MGNREGA era is set to change in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the notification of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM-G] Act, 2025, the Union Territory is preparing to retire the long-standing MGNREGA framework. From July 1, the new VB-G RAM-G scheme will dictate how unskilled manual labor is managed and compensated across rural J&K.

At the heart of this transition is an expanded safety net. The new scheme promises 125 days of wage employment annually to eligible rural households—a notable bump from the previous 100-day guarantee. If the administration fails to provide work within 15 days of a formal demand, applicants will now be entitled to an unemployment allowance, adding a layer of accountability to the local implementation agencies.

A Tech-Forward Approach to Labour

The administration is moving away from manual oversight toward a "digital-first" model. The new framework mandates biometric and face-authenticated attendance, geofencing, and GPS-enabled monitoring. To ensure transparency, project sites will feature real-time dashboards and bilingual electronic muster rolls. By eliminating labor-displacing machinery and private contractors, the government aims to keep the focus strictly on direct, community-led infrastructure development.

Agricultural protection is also woven into the design. The scheme introduces a mandatory 60-day pause in public works during peak sowing and harvesting seasons. This ensures that the rural workforce remains available for private farming, balancing the need for infrastructure development with the seasonal demands of the agrarian economy.

Why it Matters: The Bigger Picture

This shift marks a clear pivot toward the "Viksit Bharat @2047" vision, emphasizing saturation-based development. By utilizing GIS-based tools and PM Gati Shakti layers, the authorities are attempting to move beyond the "ad-hoc" project planning often associated with rural work schemes. For the ground-level worker, the inclusion of targeted support for vulnerable groups—including single women, transgender persons, and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)—suggests a shift toward more granular, inclusive welfare targeting.

However, the transition also highlights a growing trend in federal fiscal policy. Reports indicate that while the scheme guarantees more workdays, the financial burden is shifting, with a significant portion of the costs now expected to be shared by the state. As the July deadline approaches, the success of the VB-G RAM-G will hinge on how effectively these new digital layers and administrative responsibilities are integrated at the Gram Panchayat level.