In a significant move aimed at resolving critical labour shortages during peak agricultural seasons, the Union government has enacted a new law that promises more work days for rural labourers while securing workforce for farmers. Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, detailed the provisions of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, popularly termed VB-G RAM G, during a virtual address on Farmers Day.
Key Provisions of the New VB-G RAM G Act
The newly implemented legislation formally replaces the long-standing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Under the previous scheme, labourers were entitled to 100 days of work per year. The VB-G RAM G Act enhances this guarantee to 125 days of work annually, marking a substantial increase in employment security for rural households.
However, a crucial clause in the new act mandates that for two specific months in a year, labourers are expected to make themselves available for agricultural work. This provision is strategically designed to address the chronic shortage of farmhands during crucial periods like sowing and harvesting, which often cripples agricultural productivity.
Balancing Welfare of Farmers and Labourers
Minister Chouhan emphasized that the law is crafted to strike a delicate balance between the welfare of two key pillars of the rural economy: farmers and daily wage labourers. He stated that while the act fully focuses on uplifting labourers by providing more guaranteed work, it simultaneously ensures that farmers have access to sufficient labour when they need it the most.
"G RAM G is extremely useful in the broader interest of the country as it empowers the farming community and makes it self-reliant," Chouhan said. He elaborated that the government's core objective is to increase the income of both farmers and labourers, a goal expected to be achieved through this integrated approach.
Dissemination and Implementation Strategy
For the successful rollout of the scheme, the Union Minister issued clear instructions for widespread awareness campaigns. He directed that information about the VB-G RAM G Act must be disseminated to farmers across the country through the network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). These agricultural science centers will play a pivotal role in educating the farming community about their rights and the availability of labour under the new legal framework.
The announcement on Farmers Day underscores the government's intent to synchronize rural employment schemes with the cyclical needs of agriculture. By legally aligning labour availability with peak farming seasons, the VB-G RAM G Act seeks to create a more predictable and efficient rural labour market, potentially boosting farm output and stabilizing rural incomes.
