VB-G RAM-G Bill Aims to Boost Transparency

The Union government on Tuesday said the proposed Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (VB-G RAM-G) is aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and effective utilisation of public funds, amid criticism from opposition parties and concerns raised by some allies over its funding structure.

Senior government officials maintained that the bill seeks to correct structural inefficiencies observed in existing rural employment schemes, where states allegedly prioritised drawing maximum central funds without adequate focus on asset creation or material expenditure.

Officials pointed out that public spending under the programme is set to rise significantly, from about ₹86,000 crore last year to nearly ₹1.5 lakh crore in the coming budget cycle. With projected expenditure of around ₹7.5 lakh crore over the next five years, the government said tighter oversight mechanisms are essential to ensure funds translate into tangible work on the ground. On average, each village is expected to receive close to ₹2 crore during this period.

Under the proposed framework, gram panchayats and gram sabhas will play a central role in planning and deciding the nature of works to be undertaken. This, the government said, would replace earlier practices where projects were sometimes initiated primarily to claim dues, rather than address local needs. To avoid duplication and misuse, all approved works will be integrated with the Gati Shakti platform for real-time monitoring.

The bill also introduces a need-based allocation model to ensure fair distribution of resources. Panchayats will be graded based on objective parameters such as local requirements, volume of work undertaken and assets created. These criteria will be developed through a formula designed by NITI Aayog, with the aim of ensuring that remote and underserved villages receive appropriate attention.

Sector-specific prioritisation has also been built into the scheme. For instance, water conservation projects will be emphasised in water-stressed states such as Punjab, while convergence with agriculture and other allied schemes will allow states to channel funds towards asset creation and support programmes like self-help groups.

To curb corruption, the government said biometric attendance systems will continue, alongside new technological measures including facial recognition, to ensure payments are made only for verified work. Officials stressed that these safeguards are intended to protect public money and reinforce accountability at every level.

Addressing concerns from states about additional administrative burden, the government said both the Centre and states remain jointly responsible for outcomes, and the bill formalises accountability mechanisms rather than creating new liabilities.

The legislation also proposes a pause in rural employment works during peak agricultural seasons. Officials argued that staggered breaks of around 15 days would help prevent labour shortages during crucial farming periods, particularly benefiting small and marginal farmers, who constitute nearly 86% of the country’s agricultural workforce.

The government reiterated that the bill is designed to make rural employment spending more outcome-driven, equitable and transparent, while aligning development works with local priorities and long-term asset creation.