G-RAM-G BASED ON EVIDENCE, DIGITAL GOVERNANCE TO ENSURE REAL BENEFITS FOR RURAL WORKERS: JITENDRA SINGH

New Delhi, Jan 14, 2026 : Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said that the Viksit Bharat Energy for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Gramin), or G-RAM-G, is driven by evidence and experience rather than assumptions, and reflects the government’s commitment to transparent communication on policies affecting rural India.

Addressing a media briefing, the Minister said a responsible government must place facts clearly before the public, particularly when initiatives directly impact villages, livelihoods and long-term national outcomes. He stressed that G-RAM-G has been designed as a digitally governed, expanded and outcome-oriented framework, drawing lessons from earlier public employment programmes.

Singh said the mission leverages modern technologies such as GPS-based monitoring and AI-driven models to ensure real-time oversight of works and fund utilisation. This digital governance framework, he noted, will help curb leakages, eliminate fake job cards and ensure that benefits reach genuine rural workers.

Highlighting the mission’s convergent planning approach, the Minister explained that G-RAM-G brings together public works that were earlier implemented in silos. By aligning planning, execution and outcomes, the programme aims to avoid duplication, prevent misuse of funds and prioritise the creation of durable community assets. Key focus areas include water security, rural infrastructure and the availability of farm labour, with every project linked to clearly defined outcomes.

Singh said that guaranteed wage employment under the mission has been enhanced from 100 to 125 days, underlining the government’s commitment to livelihood security. Wage payments will be made on a weekly basis, a move expected to improve income stability for rural workers.

On financial discipline, he said G-RAM-G introduces a shift from an open-ended, demand-driven model to a normative, state-wise allocation based on objective parameters. Funding will follow a 60:40 Centre–State sharing pattern, with special provisions for North-Eastern states, Himalayan states and Union Territories. This approach, he added, will promote fiscal responsibility while strengthening state ownership and accountability.

The Minister also emphasised the alignment of employment works with local agricultural calendars, allowing workers to balance farm activities with wage employment. Provisions have been made for seasonal flexibility and for pausing works for up to 60 days during exigencies such as natural disasters, ensuring resilience in implementation.

Reiterating the philosophy underpinning the mission, Singh said G-RAM-G reflects the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of rural empowerment through honest, transparent and productive employment. He said the focus is on real development and accountable governance, rather than symbolic measures.

Concluding his remarks, the Minister said the government remains committed to objectively communicating facts about G-RAM-G in the national interest. He added that the mission will continue to evolve through feedback and improvements, keeping the welfare of villages, rural workers and the country at its core.