Rules for new rural employment scheme to be issued soon

Key points

• Rules governing the new rural employment guarantee scheme, the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), which is scheduled to come into force from July 1, will be released by the government in the next few days, officials of the Union Ministry of Rural Development informed a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Wednesday (May 20, 2026).
• The committee, headed by Congress leader Saptagiri Ulaka, met on Wednesday to review the preparatory work for the scheme’s implementation.
• The Centre has to address several issues, including the formulation of a system for normative allocation of funds among the States.
• Section 4 (5) of the legislation says: “The Central government shall determine the State-wise normative allocation for each financial year, based on objective parameters as may be prescribed by the Central government.” The provision is aimed at ensuring a more equitable distribution of resources.
• The Ministry informed the panel that 25...