New rural jobs framework notifies 375 activities

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesday notified 375 permissible works under the new rural employment framework, with a greater focus on livelihoods, disaster preparedness and water security. The number of works is 41% higher than under the previous scheme.

The ministry of rural development said the new schedule under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G) Gramin Act, 2025, divides the works into four areas: water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and special works for extreme weather events and disaster preparedness.

The framework places emphasis on agriculture, vulnerable households, women and rural youth.


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"The new framework seeks to move beyond a conventional list of asset types and align wage employment with the creation of durable rural assets and measurable development outcomes," the ministry said in a statement.

The VB-G RAM G Act, which came into force on July 1, replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

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Of the 375 works under the new framework, 128 fall under water security, 111 under core rural infrastructure, 98 under livelihood-related infrastructure and 38 under disaster preparedness.

Livelihood-related works account for 26% of the total permissible works under the new framework, compared with 1.1% under the previous framework. These include agro-processing and value-addition infrastructure, cleaning, grading and packaging units, cold storage facilities, dairy infrastructure and aquaculture structures.

The schedule also includes infrastructure for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and their federations.