Govt announces VB-G RAM G Act from July 1, MGNREGA to end

The Centre announced that the VB-G RAM G Act will replace MGNREGA nationwide from July 1. Existing job cards and ongoing works will continue seamlessly. The government said the new law aims to strengthen rural employment, infrastructure development and village self-reliance through gram panchayats

New Delhi: The Centre on Monday announced that the new Viksit Bharat — Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act will come into force across the country from July 1, replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Rural Development, the Act will come into force in all states and Union Territories on July 1.

In another notification, the ministry stated that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) will be repealed and replaced by the new Act. It assured that the transition from MGNREGA to the new framework would be seamless and without disruption to workers.

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“Ongoing works under MGNREGA as on June 30 shall be saved and carried over to the new framework seamlessly,” the notification said, adding that existing e-KYC verified MGNREGA job cards will remain valid until the new “gramin rozgar guarantee cards” are issued. Workers will not be denied employment due to pending e-KYC, and registration for those without job cards will continue at the gram panchayat level, it said.

The ministry further said that draft rules related to wage payments, grievance redressal, allocation norms and transitional provisions are being prepared in consultation with states and Union Territories and will soon be published for public consultation.

Describing gram panchayats as the “central pillar” of rural transformation, the government said that the new law is expected to boost employment generation, rural infrastructure development and self-reliance in villages.