VB-G RAM G Workers Await Wages For Work Done Since Sept. 1

Sources involved in the implementation said the delay had occurred despite increased demand for employment under the rural job scheme. Daily attendance has risen to around 25,000 to 26,000 workers in recent weeks, compared with 12,000 to 15,000 during the corresponding period last year.

The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G) replaced MGNREGS from July 1, bringing changes to the processing of employment records and wage payments. The new framework provides for weekly wage payments or, at the latest by a fortnight, besides compensation for delays beyond the prescribed period.

According to district figures, around 57,000 families, involving 77,000 workers, have been provided employment, generating 15.3 lakh workdays. The district has 2.24 lakh registered job cards.

Families received an average of 26.65 days of work a month during the past two months, while the average daily wage was around ₹255.06, sources said.

An official involved in the implementation admitted that wage payments were delayed. Workdays and attendances were being uploaded online and officials were processing the records under the revised system to clear the pending payments, he explained.

The official said technical changes following the transition to the new system had affected processing in some areas. Employment targets are now being fixed monthly instead of through the annual labour budget followed under the earlier system.

District water management agency project director A Ravi Kumar said payments pending up to August 31 had recently been cleared. Fund transfer orders for wages due from Sept 1 had already been uploaded and were awaiting clearance under the Centre's SNA SPARSH financial procedure.

It could take around two to three weeks for the bills to be cleared after the FTOs are uploaded, he said.