New Delhi, October 6: The Centre has notified 375 permissible works under the new rural employment framework, expanding the scope of works by 41 per cent compared with the previous scheme, the Ministry of Rural Development said on Tuesday.
The new schedule under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G) Gramin Act, 2025 focuses on strengthening rural livelihoods, water security, core infrastructure and preparedness for extreme weather events and disasters.
The 375 works have been divided into four broad categories:
128 works under water security
111 works under core rural infrastructure
98 works related to livelihood infrastructure
38 works focused on disaster preparedness and extreme weather events
The expanded list includes projects related to water conservation, irrigation, rural health facilities, community infrastructure, agro-processing, cold storage and flood protection.
Greater Focus On Rural Livelihoods
According to the ministry, livelihood-related works will account for around 26 per cent of the total works, compared with just 1.1 per cent under the previous framework.
The newly included activities include cleaning, grading and packaging units, mini flour mills, market yards, dairy infrastructure, mushroom cultivation sheds and aquaculture facilities.
Infrastructure supporting self-help groups and their federations has also been included, covering SHG worksheds, SHE Marts, training centres and skill development facilities.
Water Security Gets Largest Share
Water security remains the largest category, covering projects such as check dams, recharge shafts, river and water-channel rejuvenation, rainwater harvesting and reclamation of waterlogged land.
The framework also includes drip irrigation, sprinkler systems and measures such as artificial glaciers for water conservation.
The core rural infrastructure category covers solar street lighting, waste recycling plants, greywater treatment facilities, rural libraries, veterinary and rural health centres, Common Service Centres and additional classrooms and laboratories in government schools.
Repair and maintenance of infrastructure created under the Jal Jeevan Mission has also been brought under the permissible works.
New Category For Disaster Preparedness
For the first time, the framework has a dedicated category for disaster preparedness and extreme weather events.
The 38 works in this category include flood shelters, strengthening of embankments, flood-protection measures, restoration of rural roads and community assets after disasters, and forest-fire management.
The ministry said 181 works relate to agriculture and allied activities, including 52 individual-beneficiary works. Another 107 works have been earmarked for Antyodaya and vulnerable households, including 68 individual-beneficiary works.
The schedule also includes 36 works each focused on women and youth.
Works To Be Planned Through Gram Panchayats
The ministry said projects will be planned through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans based on local requirements and will require approval from the Gram Sabha.
Digital monitoring of the works will be carried out through the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack.
The VB-G RAM G Act, which came into force on July 1, replaced the demand-driven employment framework of MGNREGA with a provision for 125 days of guaranteed wage employment per rural household every year.
The new framework also provides for a 60:40 Centre-state funding ratio for most states. The Centre will determine state-wise normative allocations, while states will bear expenditure beyond the allocated amount.
The Opposition has raised concerns over several provisions of the new framework, including the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme, the revised funding arrangement, allocation mechanism and a provision allowing states to pause works during peak agricultural seasons for up to 60 days a year.
