Over 100 Area Officers Deployed Nationwide for VB-G RAM G Act Implementation

Over 100 area officers are being deployed nationwide to aid states and Union Territories in implementing the VB-G RAM G Act from July 1. These officers will facilitate the rollout, bolster capacities, and address challenges for the new rural employment framework. An interim allocation of over Rs 95,000 crore has been approved, with many states already making budgetary provisions.

New Delhi: The Ministry of Rural Development will deploy more than 100 area officers across the country to assist states and Union territories ahead of the implementation of the VB-G RAM G Act from July 1, a statement said on Friday.

The officers will act as facilitators and resource persons during the rollout phase, working with state governments, district administrations and field-level functionaries to support implementation, strengthen capacities, share best practices and address operational challenges, the ministry said.

The move comes as preparations for the new rural employment framework gather pace. The ministry said an interim allocation of Rs 95,692 crore has been approved as the Centre's share for 2026-27, while 27 states and Union territories have already made budgetary provisions for implementing the Act.

Six states/UTs have notified their state schemes under the Viksit Bharat-“Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) framework, it added.

The area officers were briefed through an orientation programme covering the Act's key features, implementation framework, institutional arrangements, technology-enabled governance systems and support mechanisms available for states and districts.

The programme was chaired by Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal, while Joint Secretary Rohini R Bhajibhakare conducted the orientation.

The ministry said the VB-“G RAM G Act seeks to transform rural employment by linking guaranteed wage employment with livelihood promotion, climate resilience, rural infrastructure creation and technology-based governance.

It will also use tools such as Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs) and GIS-based planning to support the vision of Viksit Bharat in 2047.

As part of preparations, all states and UTs have been onboarded onto the DBT-SPARSH platform, nearly 93 per cent of active workers have completed e-KYC, and a face authentication-based attendance system has been rolled out nationwide, according to the ministry.