Union Minister for Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said the Centre has increased administrative expenditure under the rural employment framework from 6 per cent to 9 per cent, a move aimed at ensuring timely payment of salaries to grassroots staff such as Rozgar Sahayaks, panchayat secretaries and technical personnel.
Addressing Rozgar Sahayaks from different states who met him in Bhopal, the minister said delays in salary payments had been a major concern and the enhanced administrative allocation would help resolve the issue. “Administrative expenditure has been raised from 6 per cent to 9 per cent. There will now be no difficulty in paying salaries,” he said.
Chouhan said that from the total proposed budget of ₹1,51,282 crore, more than ₹13,000 crore will now be earmarked for salaries and administrative requirements. He assured that the amount would be sufficient to meet staff payments and that strict monitoring would be undertaken to prevent wastage or expenditure on non-essential items such as vehicles.
He added that new provisions have been made to ensure salaries are paid on priority, followed by other essential administrative expenses. Necessary directions will be issued in coordination with state governments to enforce this rule, he said.
The minister also announced that the legal guarantee of employment has been increased from 100 days to 125 days under the Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana. In addition, state governments have been empowered to allow workers to take up agricultural work for up to 60 days during sowing and harvesting seasons to address labour shortages during peak agricultural periods.
Chouhan said efforts have been made to make the Viksit Bharat–G RAM G scheme more practical and effective by addressing earlier shortcomings. He urged Rozgar Sahayaks to ensure that information about the revised provisions reaches grassroots workers and said further improvements would be made after consultations with states.
Calling the Viksit Bharat–G RAM G a historic initiative, the minister said the scheme has now become law following the President’s assent. He cautioned against misinformation and stressed the need to communicate correct details to every village.
Under the revised framework, the minister said timely payment of wages has been ensured, with strict provisions mandating compensation if wages are not paid within 15 days. Wage rates will continue and be revised annually, he added.
Chouhan said the scheme will focus on four categories of works: water conservation and related infrastructure such as ponds and check dams; basic village infrastructure including schools, hospitals, anganwadi centres, roads and drains; livelihood-based activities to expand employment opportunities; and works aimed at protection from natural disasters, including drainage systems and river-related structures.
Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the minister said development works must be visible on the ground. Under the Viksit Gram Panchayat Yojana, he added, all development plans will be prepared through collective deliberation, with villages themselves deciding their development priorities.
