New Delhi, Jan 18 (.) Ministry of Rural Development on Sunday dismissed the Opposition’s allegations against the proposed VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, stating that claims of dilution of rural employment rights are “factually incorrect and misleading”.
The Department clarified that the Act provides a statutory guarantee of not less than 125 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work. It said the employment guarantee is a legal entitlement backed by an Act of Parliament and not a discretionary benefit.
Rejecting the charge that the “Right to Work” is being taken away, the Department said the Act retains the principle of time-bound employment and mandates payment of unemployment allowance if work is not provided within 15 days of application. It added that, unlike the earlier MGNREGA framework, the new law removes dis-entitlement provisions, ensuring mandatory payment of unemployment allowance when employment is delayed.
On wages, the Department termed the allegation of arbitrariness as completely incorrect. It said wage rates will be notified every year and will remain higher than the current MGNREGA notified wage rates. The Act also mandates weekly payment of wages or disbursal within a fortnight, strengthening the right to timely wages.
Clarifying provisions related to peak agricultural seasons, the Department said States may notify a period aggregating up to 60 days during sowing and harvesting when works may not be undertaken. This, it said, is meant to ensure adequate labour availability for agriculture and does not affect the 125-day employment guarantee.
The Department also rejected claims that Gram Panchayat powers would be diluted or contractors would take over works. It said the Act strengthens decentralised planning through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans prepared by Gram Panchayats and approved by Gram Sabhas. At least 50 per cent of works will be implemented through Gram Panchayats, while engagement of contractors is explicitly prohibited.
On the funding pattern, the Department said the scheme follows a transparent Centrally Sponsored framework, with a 90:10 Centre-State share for North-Eastern and Himalayan States and union Territories, and 60:40 for other States and UTs with legislatures. Special provisions have been made to protect economically vulnerable regions and allow flexibility during extraordinary situations such as natural disasters or pandemics.
The Department said the Act prioritises asset creation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women-headed households, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, supported by stronger social audits, transparency norms and grievance redressal mechanisms.
Terming the Opposition’s criticism as a deliberate distortion of the law, the Department asserted that the VB–G RAM G Act is designed to strengthen employment security, wage protection and decentralised governance while supporting agricultural productivity.
. PKJ .