The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 lays down wage-related provisions for manual work under the rural employment scheme. The law links wage protection, timely payment, and compensation for delay to the framework already used under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005. It aims to ensure continuity in wage standards until a separate rate is formally notified.
Wage Rate Framework
The Central Government may notify the wage rate for the Act by official notification.
- The notified wage rate cannot be lower than the prevailing wage rate under Section 6 of the MGNREGA, 2005.
- Until a new rate is notified, the MGNREGA wage rate will continue to apply in the covered areas.
Payment Timeline
The Act requires that daily wages be paid on a weekly basis.
- In any case, payment must not be delayed beyond a fortnight from the date the work was done.
- This provision is meant to reduce delays in wage disbursement to rural workers.
Compensation for Delayed Wages
The Act also provides a penalty for delayed payment.
- If wages are not paid within 15 days from the closure of the muster roll, wage seekers become entitled to compensation for the delay.
- This strengthens accountability in wage payment under the scheme.
Significance for Rural Employment
These provisions are important for rural livelihood security and administrative compliance.
- They preserve wage parity with the existing rural employment law.
- They also reinforce the right to timely payment in public employment programmes.
- The framework reflects continuity between VB-G RAM G and MGNREGA wage administration.