VB–GRAMG Act to drive sustainable rural employment: MP Khatana in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi, Dec 20: The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 will strengthen rural livelihoods while providing durable employment assurance, Rajya Sabha MP and senior BJP leader Gulam Ali Khatana told the Upper House on Saturday.
Participating in the discussion on the legislation in the Rajya Sabha, Khatana said the proposed framework moves beyond short-term wage support by combining employment generation, skill training and asset creation under a unified structure. He said the approach aligns with the broader national vision of building self-reliant villages and a resilient rural economy.
Explaining the operational aspects, Khatana said the Act introduces paid on-site skilling through a learn-while-earn model, enabling rural youth to secure immediate income while upgrading their capabilities for future work. He noted that the emphasis on creating durable assets such as rural roads, water facilities and storage infrastructure would ensure public spending yields lasting economic outcomes.
The MP said the programme is expected to curb seasonal migration by expanding job opportunities within villages, while also reinforcing women self-help groups, cooperatives and farmer producer organisations. He added that provisions for green employment and climate-resilient projects reflect a sustainability-focused development strategy.
On governance, Khatana said the framework strengthens transparency through Direct Benefit Transfer mechanisms and digital monitoring, while retaining the state-backed employment guarantee and providing flexibility for region-specific planning. He said the Act encourages a shift towards productive investment, supporting local MSMEs and village enterprises and widening the rural economic base.
Khatana acknowledged the leadership of Narendra Modi for articulating the development vision behind the initiative and thanked Shivraj Singh Chouhan for steering the rural employment and livelihood framework.
Concluding his remarks, Khatana said the VB–GRAMG Act, 2025 offers a forward-looking model that integrates employment, skills, sustainability and enterprise, positioning rural India for inclusive and resilient growth.