Centre notifies 318 rural works under new employment law, seeks state feedback
NEW DELHI: The Union government has notified an interim list of 318 permissible development works under the new rural employment framework, which is set to be rolled out from July 1. The list covers areas such as natural resource management, irrigation, rural connectivity, community infrastructure, livelihood-supporting assets, climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
The framework, part of the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act 2025, identifies four thematic focus areas: water security, core rural infrastructure, rural livelihoods, and special works for mitigating extreme weather events. The interim list of 318 works has been drawn based on these themes, according to the Ministry of Rural Development.
The ministry has shared the list with states and other ministries and sought their views, with the aim of adding more works specific to regional requirements. Officials said the consultation process is intended to ensure that the framework addresses diverse local needs.
On Wednesday, the ministry held a high-level inter-ministerial consultation on the draft convergence framework under the Act. The meeting, chaired by Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal, was attended by representatives and nodal officers from 18 ministries and departments.
Kansal emphasised that convergence is a core pillar of the 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 stated. These plans will be prepared through community participation and approved by the Gram Sabha, integrating local needs with resources and expertise 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 added.
The convergence framework is proposed to be operationalised from July 1, alongside the commencement of the Act.
