Positive Indicator for Rural Livelihoods as 61.5% of Women Engage in G RAM G Work
NEW DELHI: The rollout of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act (VB G RAM G Act) has generated over 11.4 crore person-days since its inception. Women represent 61.5% of these person-days, according to data from the government portal. This marks a continuation of women’s significant participation in rural employment, which has consistently exceeded 50% under the previous MGNREGA scheme.
Women’s Participation Trends
Data from previous years shows that women’s participation in rural employment has been on the rise. In 2023-24, their share reached 58.9%, while in 2025-26, it was recorded at 57.25%. Civil society organizations have noted that while this trend is positive, many men tend to pursue higher-paying agricultural jobs outside the scheme, which impacts women’s employment opportunities.
Wage Adjustments Under VB G RAM G
In response to ongoing demands for higher wages, the government has revised the wage rates under the VB G RAM G scheme. The new interim base wage rate is set at Rs 300 per day, an increase from the previous average of Rs 298.8 per day under MGNREGA to Rs 327.4 under the new scheme. Prior to this adjustment, some states had wage rates below Rs 300, with the lowest at Rs 241 per day.
Concerns Over Wage Determination
A parliamentary standing committee recently expressed concerns regarding the wage structure. The committee recommended a comprehensive review of the wage-determination methodology, questioning the appropriateness of the 2011 base year and the adequacy of the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL). They suggested establishing a minimum wage floor of Rs 400 per day, with regional variations, and called for a systematic approach to indexation that reflects actual rural living costs. The committee has requested an action report from the department of rural development within three months.
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