{
  "id": 420534,
  "title": "In its first month, VB-G RAM G sees almost 50% year-on-year dip in rural jobs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/in-its-first-month-vb-g-ram-g-sees-almost-50-year-on-year-dip-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T23:50:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/india/vb-g-ram-g-rural-jobs-decline-minimum-wages-10825474/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The introduction of the VB-G RAM G rural job guarantee program in July 2026 saw a significant decline in job creation, marking a 49.94% drop year-on-year compared to the previous month. This decrease occurred as the government shifted from the long-standing MGNREGS to the new VB-G RAM G initiative. As of August 9, only 7.67 crore person-days were generated under VB-G RAM G, which is 49.94% lower than the 15.33 crore person-days created under MGNREGS in July 2025. The number of households availing the scheme also fell by 51.45% to 68.94 lakh, with 2026 having the lowest number of households and person-days available in the last five years. The decline in employment generation under VB-G RAM G may impact rural demand, given the erratic monsoon affecting agricultural output. The new scheme provides 125 days of wage employment per year, a rise from 100 days under MGNREGS, but the pause during the Kharif sowing season and erratic monsoon rains might be contributing to the job creation slowdown.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "VB-G RAM G program saw 49.94% year-on-year decline in rural jobs",
    "Only 7.67 crore person-days generated, down from 15.33 crore in July 2025",
    "Households availing scheme fell 51.45% to 68.94 lakh in August"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The sharp decline in rural jobs under VB-G RAM G compared to MGNREGS suggests the new program's rollout has disrupted rural employment, potentially impacting demand in areas with erratic monsoon conditions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express - India",
        "title": "In its first month, VB-G RAM G sees almost 50% year-on-year dip in rural jobs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/in-its-first-month-vb-g-ram-g-sees-almost-50-year-on-year-dip-in-423076",
        "published": "2026-08-09T23:50:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}