Wage hike for NREGS workers halted as Centre looks to roll out G-RAM-G, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Wage hike for over 7 crore MG-NREGS workers is delayed pending notification of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (G RAM-G) Act, 2025.
• This is the first time in over a decade that the Centre has not released a revised NREGS wage notification in February-March.
• The Union Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has informed states that NREGS wages for FY 2026-27 will be notified when G RAM-G comes into effect.
• As of April 14, 2026, there were 11.03 crore active workers under the MG-NREGS.

Detailed Insights:

• The G RAM-G Act, 2025 aims to replace the MG-NREGA, 2005, and introduce a new centrally sponsored scheme for unskilled wage employment in rural areas.
• The Centre typically notifies NREGS wage rates before April 1, but has not done so this year, leading to the continuation of FY 2025-26 rates.
• NREGS wage rates are adjusted based on changes in the CPI-AL (Consumer Price Index-Agriculture Labour), reflecting rural inflation.
• In FY 2025-26, 5.34 crore families (7.2 crore individuals) availed the NREGS, highlighting its significance for rural employment.
• Last year's NREGS wage hike, notified on March 27, ranged from 2-7% compared to the previous year.

Key Concepts Involved:

• MG-NREGS: Aims to enhance livelihood security of households in rural areas of the country by providing at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
• Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (G RAM-G) Act, 2025: A new centrally sponsored scheme to provide unskilled wage employment in rural areas.
• CPI-AL (Consumer Price Index-Agriculture Labour): Measures the changes in the price of a basket of goods and services consumed by agricultural labourers in rural areas.

The Viksit Bharat - G RAM G