VB-G RAM Act 2026: Assam PNRD Implements New Rural Employment Scheme Replacing MGNREGA | DVNA NEWS

VB-G RAM Act 2026: Assam PNRD Implements New Rural Employment Scheme Replacing MGNREGA | DVNA NEWS

Bird's-Eye Report on Old MGNREGA and the New Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission Grameen (VB-G RAM) Act
By Rita alias Richa Sharma, Delhi-based Journalist, Owner-cum-Managing Editor, Delhi Voice News Agency (DVNA NEWS)

The earlier Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provided up to 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households across India. Under the previous wage structure, Haryana offered the highest notified wage rate at Rs. 400 per day, followed by Goa at Rs. 378 and Kerala and Karnataka at around Rs. 369–370 per day. At the lower end, Nagaland paid Rs. 241 per day, Assam Rs. 249, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Rs. 261, while Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand paid Rs. 252 per day. (Sources: nregaplus.nic.in and Assam Government Portal).

Following the earlier MGNREGA framework, the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission Grameen (VB-G RAM) Act came into force across all States and Union Territories from 1 July 2026. Under the new Act, the guaranteed employment period has been increased from 100 days to 125 days. The revised wage structure also reflects a significant enhancement, with the national average notified wage increasing from approximately Rs. 298.80 per day to Rs. 327.40 per day, representing an increase of more than 10 per cent. (Sources: Press Information Bureau and All India Radio).

Delhi Voice News Agency (DVNA NEWS) observes, during its recent visit to Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Bongaigaon and Barpeta districts of Assam, that the Panchayat and Rural Development (PNRD) departments are in the process of implementing the provisions of the new VB-G RAM Act, including revised wage rates and increased working days, according to official sources and the Assam Government portal.

The PNRD departments of Dhubri, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Kokrajhar and Chirang had earlier implemented MGNREGA wages at Rs. 249 per day, with payments directly transferred to beneficiaries' bank accounts. Under the upgraded rural development framework, wage rates are expected to move closer to the Rs. 300–370 per day range in blocks including Bilasipara and Chapar-Salcocha (Dhubri); Srijongram and Boitamari/Bidyapur (Bongaigaon); Mandia, Sarukhetri, Ghilazari, Chakchaka and Paka-Betbari (Barpeta); Dotoma, Hatijura and Kochugaon (Kokrajhar); and Manikpur, Chirang and Borobazar (Chirang).

DVNA NEWS also observed during field visits that these blocks had regularly processed and released MGNREGA wages to workers during 2025 and 2026.

The PNRD departments of Dhubri, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Chirang and Kokrajhar implement several Central and State-sponsored schemes aimed at reducing rural poverty, creating durable infrastructure and improving livelihoods. These include MGNREGA for wage employment, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G) for rural housing and DAY-NRLM/ASRLM for empowering women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs). MGNREGA guarantees wage employment to enhance livelihood security in rural areas, while PMAY-G provides financial assistance of approximately Rs. 1.30 lakh to eligible rural families for construction of permanent houses.

During its visit, DVNA NEWS found several development works completed under MGNREGA and PMAY-G, including paver block roads, residential houses, retaining walls and drainage systems in Srijongram and Bidyapur blocks of Bongaigaon district; Mandia, Ghilazari, Sarukhetri, Paka-Betbari and Chakchaka blocks of Barpeta district; Hatijura, Dotoma and Kochugaon blocks of Kokrajhar district; and Borobazar, Chirang and Manikpur blocks of Chirang district.

In Bilasipara block of Dhubri district, MGNREGA wages were observed to be processed and released continuously through the Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS), with funds generally released within 25 days of project completion. Under the previous MGNREGA framework, Assam workers received Rs. 249 per day, with guaranteed employment extending up to 135 days in certain approved categories.

The agency also observed the functioning of Anganwadi Centres, the grassroots service delivery units under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), now integrated into Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Poshan 2.0. These centres provide supplementary nutrition, preschool education, nutrition and health education, immunisation, health check-ups and referral services for children below six years of age. Active Anganwadi centres were observed in Sarukhetri, Ghilazari, Chakchaka and Paka-Betbari blocks of Barpeta district; Bidyapur and Srijongram blocks of Bongaigaon district; and Hatijura, Dotoma and Kochugaon blocks of Kokrajhar district.

Infrastructure such as food grain storage facilities, waste material storage units, cattle fodder storage, tree plantation works, block campus development and boundary walls, including projects funded under the 15th Finance Commission, were also observed in Sarukhetri block of Barpeta district.

DVNA NEWS observes that while MGNREGA primarily focuses on providing guaranteed wage employment, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G) continues to provide housing assistance to eligible rural families.

The agency further observed that State-Owned Priority Development (SOPD) schemes have been effectively utilised in Dotoma and Kochugaon blocks of Kokrajhar district. Large and well-maintained block office campuses, along with several paver block roads constructed under SOPD during 2024–25, were found in good condition. SOPD schemes in Assam comprise various State-funded infrastructure, welfare and agricultural development projects implemented to strengthen local development.

During visits to Chapar-Salcocha Block of Dhubri district and Manikpur Block of Chirang district, DVNA NEWS observed works undertaken under the Amrit Sarovar Mission, which focuses on the conservation and rejuvenation of water bodies. These projects are intended to improve water availability, promote pisciculture, strengthen groundwater recharge and enhance sustainable rural livelihoods. The agency found these initiatives contributing positively to local environmental conservation and community development.

Delhi Voice News Agency (DVNA NEWS) further observes that many contractual engineers and non-technical employees working in various District Panchayat and Rural Development (PNRD) offices are performing significant responsibilities despite receiving comparatively low salaries. Many of these personnel have continued to serve on contractual appointments for several years without regularisation of their services. Considering their contribution to the successful implementation of rural development programmes, including MGNREGA, PMAY-G and other flagship schemes, DVNA NEWS believes the matter deserves sympathetic consideration by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Assam and the State Panchayat & Rural Development Minister for appropriate action.

During its field visit, DVNA NEWS also observed MGNREGA development works, including paver block roads and drainage systems in Sarukhetri Block of Barpeta PNRD, and interacted with Block Government engineers, field workers and Gaon Panchayat representatives to understand the implementation of various rural development schemes at the grassroots level.

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Who Is Working From Own Residance In South Delhi, Opprating From Bhagwan Sahai Tower, Noida Sector 15, 201301 India & Running With her 20 Years Experience In News Reporting In National News doordarshan (DD News) & NewsPapers Where She Used to Write Her Name as Priyadarshini, Rita and Richa Sharma. With Her Double Master Degree In journalism And Mass communication (JMC) and literature from Guwahati University and Madurai Kamaraj University Under UGC. & also Pursued Journalism Training In Delhi Under India Can Manage By Ex NDTV Team.

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