VB G RAM G Act marks a major shift in India’s rural development strategy, Chief Minister Manik Saha says. The new law replaces MNREGA, increases workdays, ensures timely wages, strengthens accountability, and focuses on sustainable infrastructure and socio-economic growth.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Tuesday described the VB G RAM G Act as a historic and transformative step toward strengthening rural socio-economic development, asserting that the legislation reflects a fundamental shift in India’s approach to employment generation and village-centric growth.
Addressing a press conference at the Pradesh BJP Office, Dr. Saha said the new law has been framed with the long-term interests of rural populations in mind, focusing on sustainability, accountability, and durable asset creation. He criticized the opposition for creating confusion among the public by continuing protests even after extensive debates in both Houses of Parliament.
“There were prolonged and detailed discussions on the VB G RAM G Bill in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. After the bill was passed democratically, it is surprising to see the opposition repeating the same arguments outside Parliament. This approach only misleads people,” the Chief Minister said.
Tracing the evolution of rural employment policies in India, Dr. Saha referred to the Maharashtra Employment Guarantee Act of 1977, which later influenced the formulation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). While MNREGA provided a nationwide legal framework for rural employment, he pointed out that several structural and implementation-related loopholes limited its effectiveness.
“Earlier, employment was provided, but much of the work lacked durability and long-term impact. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the central government has consistently emphasized reforms to ensure ease of living, ease of doing business, and effective governance. The VB G RAM G Act is an outcome of that reform-oriented vision,” he said.
According to Dr. Saha, the new Act seeks to replace MNREGA with a more robust and forward-looking framework. It introduces higher work guarantees, enhanced transparency, and dedicated funding mechanisms for rural development projects. One of the most significant changes is the increase in guaranteed employment days from 100 to 125 days, offering greater income security to rural households.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that wage delays, a persistent complaint under previous schemes, will be addressed through improved decentralization and strengthened Gram Sabha oversight. “Earlier, delays in wage payments were common. Under the new framework, such issues will not be tolerated. Decision-making power will be decentralized, ensuring greater accountability at the grassroots level,” he added.
Dr. Saha revealed that the central government has committed more than Rs. 95,000 crore to support the implementation of the VB G RAM G Act. This substantial financial allocation, he said, demonstrates the government’s seriousness about rural transformation and inclusive growth.
“The VB G RAM G Act reflects a significant shift in India’s development priorities. It places rural communities at the center of economic planning rather than treating them as peripheral beneficiaries,” he said.
The new law places strong emphasis on water conservation, water security, climate change mitigation, livelihood generation, and the creation of durable rural infrastructure. These measures are expected to not only generate employment but also strengthen village-level resilience against environmental and economic challenges.
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Dr. Saha stressed that true national development is impossible without uplifting rural India. “If we remain city-centric, overall progress will remain incomplete. Sustainable development must start from villages. I sincerely thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for thinking about the people living in rural areas and for introducing a law that addresses their real needs,” he said.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the VB G RAM G Act would emerge as a milestone in India’s rural development journey, delivering long-term socio-economic benefits and ensuring dignity of labor for millions of rural citizens.
