New Schedule Expands Scope of Permissible Works by 41 Per Cent Over Previous Framework

New Delhi,06 October (HS): The Ministry of Rural Development on Tuesday notified the Schedule of Permissible Works under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB–G RAM G Act, 2025, providing for 375 permissible works under the new rural works framework.

The new Schedule represents a 41 per cent expansion over the 266 works prescribed under the previous framework. These works have been reorganised under four thematic pillars — water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and special works for extreme weather events and disaster preparedness.

According to the Ministry, the new framework goes beyond merely listing conventional types of assets and seeks to link wage employment with the creation of durable rural assets and measurable development outcomes. Each work will originate through a decentralised, grassroots planning process under the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan, which will be approved by the Gram Sabha and tracked through the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack.

Water Security Gets Largest Share with 128 Works

According to the Ministry, the water security pillar comprises 128 works, the highest among the four categories. These include check dams, gully plugs, underground dams, recharge shafts, injection wells, rejuvenation of rivers, streams and drains, reclamation of waterlogged land, and restoration of water-distribution channels in agricultural fields.

The Schedule also includes new measures such as drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, rooftop rainwater harvesting and tanks, along with snow stupas and artificial glaciers for water conservation and irrigation.

The core rural infrastructure pillar comprises 111 works aimed at strengthening essential civic and basic infrastructure in rural areas. These include solar street lighting, waste-to-wealth recycling plants, greywater treatment units, waste-segregation sheds, rural libraries, veterinary and rural health centres, Common Service Centres, multipurpose youth centres, community facilities, and the construction of additional classrooms and laboratories in government schools.

The framework also provides for the repair and maintenance of water-supply infrastructure under the Jal Jeevan Mission, as well as rural parks, walking paths and other village-level facilities.

98 Works to Strengthen Rural Livelihoods and Value Chains

The new framework places particular emphasis on livelihood-related infrastructure, with 98 permissible works included under this category. These include infrastructure for agricultural processing and value addition, cleaning, grading and packaging units, cold-storage facilities, mini flour mills, agricultural market complexes, dairy infrastructure, mushroom-production sheds, sericulture sheds, polyhouses and aquaculture structures.

The framework also provides infrastructure for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and their federations, including SHG workshops, SHE Marts and federation buildings, as well as training-cum-skill development centres. The share of livelihood-related works has increased significantly, accounting for 26 per cent of the total permissible works under the new framework, compared with 1.1 per cent under the previous framework.

38 Works Included for Disaster Preparedness and Climate Adaptation

For the first time, the rural works framework includes a dedicated category for disaster preparedness and extreme weather events, comprising 38 works. These include flood-relief shelters, protection walls, strengthening of embankments, flood-protection works, restoration of rural roads and community assets following disasters, as well as fire lines and fuel-buffer zones as measures to combat forest fires.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar