Employment reform, decentralised governance, and agri-market infrastructure at the core of rural transformation

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Monday described the Viksit Bharat–G Ram G Act as a decisive step toward building self-reliant villages across India. Addressing workers and labourers in Erode, Tamil Nadu, the Minister said the legislation reflects a structural reimagining of rural development—one that prioritises employment security, decentralised decision-making, and direct financial accountability. He underscored that the vision of developed and prosperous villages can only be realised through active public participation and empowered local institutions.

According to Chouhan, the new law seeks to correct long-standing inefficiencies in rural employment delivery by strengthening guarantees, closing governance gaps, and ensuring that benefits reach workers without leakages. He stated unequivocally that no one would be allowed to siphon off money meant for labourers and workers, reiterating the government’s zero-tolerance approach toward corruption in welfare delivery.

Strengthening employment guarantees and wage security

Reflecting on the limitations of the earlier MGNREGA framework, Chouhan noted that while the scheme guaranteed 100 days of employment on paper, many workers faced delays in job allocation and wage payments. Calling this a serious systemic failure, he said the Viksit Bharat–G Ram G Act introduces reforms aimed at restoring credibility and trust in rural employment programmes.

Under the new law, the employment guarantee has been enhanced from 100 days to 125 days per household. Workers will now be entitled to an unemployment allowance if work is not provided within the stipulated timeframe. Additionally, wage payments delayed beyond 15 days will attract interest, ensuring financial discipline and protecting labourers from income uncertainty. Administrative expenditure has also been increased from 6 percent to 9 percent to enable timely payment of field-level staff salaries and strengthen on-ground implementation capacity.

Gram Sabhas move to the centre of decision-making

A defining feature of the new framework is the empowerment of Gram Sabhas. Chouhan said that village assemblies will now have the authority to decide which development works are undertaken locally, marking a decisive shift away from top-down planning. Decisions that were earlier taken in state capitals or in New Delhi will now be made at the village level, aligning development priorities with local needs and realities.

The Minister cautioned against misinformation being spread about the scheme and clarified that reforms introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are designed to ensure that funds reach beneficiaries directly through bank transfers. This direct benefit architecture, he said, leaves little room for intermediaries or diversion of funds.

Boosting turmeric value chains in Erode

During his visit to Erode’s renowned turmeric market, Chouhan interacted with turmeric farmers and traders and announced the establishment of a turmeric testing laboratory in what is widely known as Tamil Nadu’s “Turmeric City.” He directed the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to set up the facility, stating that it would support farmers through scientific quality testing, certification, and improved market credibility.

He also assured farmers that a regional office of the Turmeric Board would be established in Erode. While the Turmeric Board falls under the Ministry of Commerce, Chouhan said he would personally pursue the matter to ensure that turmeric farmers receive stronger policy backing, better market access, and enhanced export opportunities.

Infrastructure, market integrity, and seed quality

Highlighting the importance of post-harvest infrastructure, the Minister emphasised the urgent need for cold storage facilities in the Erode region. He noted that such infrastructure could be developed under existing central government schemes and assured that the Tamil Nadu government would be encouraged to utilise Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) funds for this purpose.

Chouhan also addressed concerns around the smuggling of turmeric, stating that concrete steps would be taken to curb illegal inflows that distort markets and harm local producers. He announced that a meeting would be convened in New Delhi to arrive at actionable solutions. Stressing that quality seed is the foundation of productive agriculture, he reiterated the role of ICAR in advancing seed development and varietal improvement.

Women farmers and grassroots innovation in focus

As part of the visit, Chouhan reviewed a wide array of agricultural innovations, inspecting more than 100 stalls showcasing products from farmers, startups, and agri-entrepreneurs. He interacted with producers on quality standards, value addition, and future market potential, signaling the government’s interest in linking grassroots innovation with scalable opportunities.

The Minister held discussions with over 1,000 women farmers, met representatives of farmer organisations and progressive cultivators, and participated in cultural programmes organised on the occasion. He said the active participation of women farmers and local entrepreneurs is central to the success of rural transformation initiatives.

A governance reset for rural India

Taken together, the announcements in Erode position the Viksit Bharat–G Ram G Act as more than an employment reform—it is a governance reset that places villages at the heart of development. By strengthening job security, decentralising decision-making, tightening financial accountability, and investing in crop-specific value chains, the government is signaling a long-term commitment to making rural India economically resilient, institutionally empowered, and globally competitive.