Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jul 17: The Goa government has notified the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-GRAM G (Goa)] Scheme, 2026, aimed at strengthening rural employment by guaranteeing at least 125 days of wage employment annually to eligible rural households.
The scheme, notified on June 29 under the VB-GRAM G Act, 2025, came into force on July 1, 2026, except for Chapters IX and X.
Replacing the existing 100-day employment guarantee under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the new scheme increases the statutory employment guarantee to 125 days for registered adult members of rural households willing to undertake unskilled manual work.
Under the scheme, eligible workers are entitled to wages for every day of work performed. If employment is not provided within 15 days of submitting an application, applicants will receive a daily unemployment allowance. Workers are also entitled to compensation if wages are delayed beyond 15 days after the closure of the wage period.
The scheme introduces a technology-driven implementation framework featuring biometric attendance, GPS-based worksite monitoring, geo-tagging, real-time management information system (MIS) dashboards and artificial intelligence-based planning and fraud detection.
Every eligible adult member possessing a valid Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card can apply for work. The card will be issued by the Gram Panchayat within 15 days of application, remain valid for three years and may be renewed after verification.
Special Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards will be issued to vulnerable groups, including single women, persons with disabilities, senior citizens above 60 years, released bonded labourers, members of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and transgender persons.
The scheme also establishes a State Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Council and a State Level Steering Committee to oversee planning, monitor district performance, coordinate with the Centre and improve implementation across the state.
Employment under the scheme will ordinarily be provided within a five-kilometre radius of the applicant's village. If work is assigned beyond this distance, workers will receive an additional 10 per cent of the wage rate towards transportation expenses.
To protect agricultural activity, the government will notify up to 60 days of peak agricultural seasons during which works under the scheme will not be undertaken.
The scheme prioritises women, with at least one-third of beneficiaries required to be women. It also gives preference to single women and persons with disabilities while allocating employment.
Works undertaken under the scheme will focus on four broad categories: water conservation and security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and projects aimed at mitigating extreme weather events and improving disaster preparedness.
Contractors are prohibited from executing works under the scheme, and the use of labour-displacing machinery is discouraged wherever possible.
Priority for individual beneficiary works will be given to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, nomadic and denotified tribes, economically weaker sections, women-headed households, persons with disabilities, beneficiaries of land reforms, PMAY-G beneficiaries and recognised forest rights holders.
The scheme also provides childcare support by appointing one woman worker to care for five or more children below the age of five accompanying women labourers at worksites.
Workers injured during employment will receive free medical treatment. Compensation for death or permanent disability arising from work-related accidents will be provided in accordance with the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana or other notified provisions. Similar benefits have also been extended to children accompanying workers in case of accidents.
A separate schedule of wage rates has been introduced for women, elderly workers, persons with disabilities and those suffering from debilitating ailments.
To improve transparency, every worksite must display a Janata Board containing details of the project, while information relating to works and expenditure will be publicly disclosed through both digital and physical platforms.
The scheme also establishes a grievance redressal mechanism with complaints to be enquired into within seven working days, along with automatic escalation of unresolved cases.