Govt notifies interim list of 318 permissible development works under new rural employment framework

NEW DELHI: Ahead of roll out of new rural employment framework under the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act 2025 from July 1, the govt has notified an interim list of 318 permissible works covering natural resource management, irrigation, rural connectivity, community infrastructure, livelihood-supporting assets, climate resilience and disaster preparedness.The framework under the new law identifies four thematic focus areas - water security, core rural infrastructure, rural livelihoods and special works for mitigation of extreme weather events. The interim list of 318 works has been drawn based on these themes.The ministry of rural development has shared this list of works with states and other ministries and they have also been asked for their views so that more works can be added going forward based on the requirements specific to certain areas, officials said.The ministry on Wednesday held a high-level inter-ministerial consultation on the draft convergence framework under the VB - G RAM G Act, 2025, ahead of the law coming into force from July 1.The consultation, chaired by rural development secretary Rohit Kansal was attended by representatives and nodal officers from 18 ministries and departments.The secretary emphasized that convergence is a core pillar of the VB – G RAM G Act and is essential for addressing interconnected rural development priorities such as water security, livelihoods, infrastructure, climate resilience and local economic development.

He highlighted that the law envisages a "single plan – multi funding" approach, enabling different schemes and programmes to work towards common development outcomes while retaining their respective mandates and funding structures."At the centre of the framework is the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan (VGPP), which serves as the primary planning instrument for rural development at the Gram Panchayat level," the ministry said in its statement.Highlighting that the plans will be prepared through community participation and approved by the Gram Sabha, officials said that the VGPP seeks to integrate local needs with the resources, expertise and investments available under various Central and state schemes."The Framework envisages a bottom-up planning architecture in which development priorities identified by Gram Sabhas are aggregated through Panchayati Raj Institutions and aligned with sectoral programmes of different ministries and departments," the ministry said. The convergence framework is proposed to be operationalised from July 1 along with the commencement of the VB - G RAM G Act.