CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says VB–G RAM G scheme replacing MGNREGS will provide 125 days employment, weekly payments and boost rural infrastructure in Uttarakhand.
Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday said that the Viksit Bharat Guarantee of Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) — VB–G RAM G, which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), will significantly strengthen the rural economy while accelerating the development of rural infrastructure.
Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister said the new law goes beyond employment assurance and offers development-oriented guarantees. Under the scheme, rural families will now be legally entitled to 125 days of employment, an increase from the earlier provision of 100 days.
He said a mandatory unemployment allowance has been introduced for beneficiaries who do not receive employment within 15 days, and accountability has been fixed on the concerned officials. Payments under the scheme will be made on a weekly basis, and provisions for compensation in case of payment delays have also been included.
Highlighting transparency measures, CM Dhami said the VB–G RAM G scheme is built on technology-driven governance. It incorporates biometric attendance, geo-tagging and GIS mapping, mobile applications and public dashboards, AI-based fraud detection systems, and mandatory social audits twice a year. These mechanisms ensure complete transparency and make the scheme virtually corruption-free, he asserted.
The Chief Minister further informed that works under the scheme can be legally suspended for a maximum of 60 days during sowing and harvesting seasons, providing flexibility to rural households. He emphasized that the real authority has been vested in Gram Panchayats, with development works being identified and approved by the Gram Sabha, rather than being imposed administratively.
Under the VB–G RAM G scheme, priority will be given to works related to water conservation, rural infrastructure development, livelihood asset creation, and disaster management. These initiatives will not only generate employment but also strengthen villages economically and socially. CM Dhami said women’s empowerment has been given special emphasis under the scheme.
To improve efficiency and monitoring, administrative expenditure for training, honorarium, and supervision has been increased from 6 percent to 9 percent, which will enhance work quality, ensure timely payments, and strengthen oversight mechanisms.
The Chief Minister clarified that for Himalayan states like Uttarakhand, the Centre–State funding ratio has been fixed at 90:10, significantly reducing the financial burden on the State government and enabling faster rural development.
Calling the scheme extremely important for Uttarakhand, CM Dhami said that being a mountainous and disaster-prone state, VB–G RAM G will play a crucial role in water conservation, disaster preparedness, and strengthening rural infrastructure. The scheme will help make villages self-reliant, resilient, and secure, while further empowering Gram Sabhas.
Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt and MLA Dilip Rawat were also present during the press conference.
