New Rural Employment Law Expands Work Guarantee to 125 Days, Says Shivraj Chouhan
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says the new rural employment law, the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act (VB-G RAM G), is universal and demand-driven, with stronger protections than the previous Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He clarified the legislation increases the guaranteed annual work from 100 days to 125 days for rural households and retains provisions for unemployment allowance if work isn’t provided within 15 days of request. Chouhan rejected claims that the right to work is being curtailed, calling them “lies” and stressing the scheme will be implemented across all panchayats and strengthen rural livelihoods. The government says the law improves transparency, ensures work planning by gram panchayats, and supports rural development while maintaining employment rights. He also dismissed concerns about increased state financial responsibility, saying central funds in the upcoming budget are already higher.
