Jammu, 09 January (H.S.): Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), a proposed Indian Government bill from 2025 aiming to replace and overhaul the existing MGNREGA (rural employment) scheme, offering 125 days of guaranteed work per household, linking it to national infrastructure goals, and creating a modernized framework for rural development and livelihoods.
This was stated by BJP MLA from Jammu East, Yudhvir Sethi today in a press conference along with BJP district president, Rajesh Gupta, general secretary, Ravikant, and vice president, Ramesh Gupta.
Addressing the media, Yudhvir Sethi said that the scheme has become a major topic of national discussion, especially after Congress started protests against it.
He stated that the Modi Government has replaced the old MGNREGA with a much stronger, transparent, and people-friendly system. He added that while Congress is opposing the reform, the new scheme is meant to give more benefits and security to the common people.
Sethi explained that MGNREGA had serious weaknesses. “Fake job cards were common, illegal payments were made, and false attendance was recorded. Even people above 80 years had job cards, and nearly 33 percent of cards were issued to those above 60 years. Workers often waited six to eight months to receive their wages. Despite spending more than Rs 10 lakh crore, there were no permanent assets visible in villages, which showed the deep corruption in the old MGNREGA system” Yudhvir Sethi asserted.
He said that the new VB-G RAM G Yojana has corrected all these faults. The employment guarantee has been increased from 100 days to 125 days, giving workers more income security, he said adding that even though 60 days are reserved for farming activities like sowing and harvesting, workers will still get 125 days of paid employment.
The MLA said that water conservation is a key focus of the new scheme. “Old ponds, wells, and water bodies will be restored, and farmers can even build ponds in their own fields,” he added.
He added that permanent infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, dispensaries, Panchayat buildings, playgrounds, community halls, and working sheds will be built. Large sheds will allow villagers to carry out collective economic activities, creating local employment and strengthening village economies, he said.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar