Hyderabad: Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Monday rejected opposition criticism of the Centre’s flagship rural employment scheme, the VB-G RAM-G Act, 2025. He accused rival parties of spreading false propaganda to mislead the public.
At a press conference at the BJP state office in Hyderabad, he explained that the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) aims to strengthen rural livelihoods and guarantee employment. The scheme also brings accountability reforms using digital technology. The government introduced the Act during the last Winter Session of Parliament as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing reform agenda.
VB-G RAM-G Act: Kishan Reddy outlines safeguards and flexibility
Kishan Reddy stated that the Act promises work to every eligible labourer and ensures compensation if work is denied. It includes penalties for delayed wage payments and mandates a 5 percent compensation per day of delay. He added that states can implement the scheme based on local farming and seasonal conditions.
To improve implementation, the Centre has raised administrative funding to 9 percent. The scheme also requires geo-tagging of assets and digital monitoring. “In the past, fake job cards and wage delays exploited workers. Now, DBT and social audits will block these abuses,” he said.
₹17,000 crore committed nationwide, Telangana to receive ₹340 crore more
Addressing concerns about cost, Kishan Reddy clarified that the Centre will spend ₹17,000 crore more this year to support the scheme. Telangana alone will receive ₹340 crore more than last year. He stressed that all wage payments will go directly to workers’ bank accounts, removing middlemen and enhancing transparency.
He said the BJP has launched awareness drives in all state capitals to explain the scheme’s benefits and counter false narratives.