EXTRAORDINARY

GOVERNMENT OF GOA

Department of Rural Development

Notification

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee

for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) VB-GRAM G Act, 2025 (Central Act 36 g 2025), the

Government of Goa hereby makes the following Scheme, namely: —

CHAPTER I

Short Title, Extent Commencement and Definitions

1. Short title extent and commencement.— (1) This Scheme may be called the “Viksit Bharat—

Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) VB –G RAM G (GOA) Scheme 2026.

(2) It shall extend to the rural areas of the State of Goa.

(3) It shall come into force from the 1st day of July, 2026, except the chapters IX and X of the scheme.

2. Definitions.— In this scheme, unless the context otherwise requires,—

(a) “Act” means the Viksit Bharat- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB-G

Ram G Act, 2025 (Central Act 36 g 2025)

(b) “adult” means person who has completed the eighteenth years of age;

employment under the Scheme;

(d) “Block” means a community development area within a district comprising a group of Gram

Panchayats;

(e) Block Development Officer - means officers appointed under Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994;

(f) “Centrally Sponsored Scheme” means a scheme in which the Central Government provides full

or partial financial assistance and the Governments of Goa undertake its implementation;

DRDA-N/VB GRAMG/06/2026-27

Date : 29-Jun-2026

Suggestions are welcomed on e-mail: [email protected]

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(g) “District Programme Co-ordinator” means an officer of the Government of Goa designated as

such officer under sub-section (1) of Section 17 of the Act for the implementation of the Scheme in a

district;

(h) Gram Rozgar Sahayak –Appointed by Government at Gram Panchayat under MGNREGA

scheme.

(i) “Government means the Government of Goa;

(j) “household” means the members of a family related to each other by blood, marriage or adoption

and normally residing together and sharing meals or holding a common ration card;

(k) “implementing agency” includes any Department of Rural Development, Gram Panchayat or any

authority authorised by Government, to undertake the implementation of the Scheme;

(l) MGNREGA means Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act/Scheme;

(m) “National Level Steering Committee” means a steering committee constituted by the Central

Government under sub-section (1) of Section 14 of the Act;

(n) “normative allocation” means the allocation of the fund made by the Central Government to the

State;

(o) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette;

(p) “Programme Officer” means an officer appointed under sub-section (1) of Section 18 of the Act;

(q) “rural area” means any area in a State except those areas covered by any urban local body or a

Cantonment Board established or constituted under any law for the time being in force;

(r) “Schedule” means Schedules appended to the Act;

(s) “Scheme” means the Scheme notified by the Government of Goa under sub-section (1) of

Section 3 of the Act;

(t) “State” means a State specified in the First Schedule to the Constitution and includes a Union

territory;

(u) “State Council” means the State Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Council constituted under sub-

section (1) of Section 13 of the Act;

(v) “State Level Steering Committee” means a steering committee constituted under sub-section (1)

of Section 15 of the Act;

(w) “unskilled manual work” means any physical work which any adult person is capable of doing

without any specialised skill or formal training;

(x) “Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack” means the consolidated aggregation

comprising proposed works emerging from the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans aggregated at the District

and State levels, and aligned with the four thematic domains of works specified in Schedule I: of the Act.

(y) “Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan” means a future-ready, convergence- based local development plan

aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, formulated by the Gram Panchayat through a

participatory and evidence-based process, and serving as the basis for identification and prioritisation of

works under the Act, as provided in sub-section (3) of Section 4 of the Act;

(z) “Wage rate” means the wage rate referred to in Section 10 of the Act,

(aa) “Work” means any work undertaken or executed under the Scheme.

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(bb) Works and experiences used herein but not defined in the Act shall have same meaning as

assigned to them in the Act.

CHAPTER II

Objectives and Guiding Principles

3. Objectives.— The primary objective of this Scheme is to align the rural development framework

with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 by providing an enhanced statutory wage-employment

guarantee of one hundred and twenty-five days in each financial year to such rural households whose adult

members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work, thereby enabling them to participate more

effectively in the expanded livelihood security framework.

(b) To focus on empowerment, growth, convergence and saturation through public works aggregating

into forming Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack, with a thematic focus on water security

through water-related works, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure and special works to

mitigate extreme weather events.

wage-employment guarantee for the rural workforce.

(d) To institutionalise convergence, saturation-driven planning and whole of government delivery

through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, integrated with the PM Gati Shakti to address the varying needs of

Gram Panchayats, powered by geospatial systems, digital public infrastructure, district and State planning

mechanisms, with such plans aggregated at the Block, District, State and National levels.

(e) To modernise governance, accountability and citizen engagement through a comprehensive digital

ecosystem, including biometric authentication at various levels, global positioning system or mobile based

worksite monitoring, real time management information system dashboards, proactive public disclosures

and the use of Artificial Intelligence for planning, audits and fraud risk mitigation.

CHAPTER III

Guarantees, Time Limits and Conditions

4. Guarantee.— The Government shall, in such rural area in the State as may be notified by the

Central Government, provide to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual

work, not less than one hundred and twenty-five days of guaranteed employment in a financial year in

accordance with the Scheme.

(b) Every person who has done the work given to him under the Scheme shall be entitled to receive

wages at the wage rate for each day of work.

fortnight after the date on which such work was done.

(d) If an applicant for employment under the Scheme is not provided such employment within fifteen

days of receipt of his application seeking employment or from the date on which the employment has been

sought in the case of an advance application, whichever is later, he shall be entitled to a daily

unemployment allowance in accordance with the provision of this scheme.

(e) In case the payment of wages is not made within fifteen days from the date of closure of the muster

roll, the wage seekers shall be entitled to receive payment of compensation for the delay, at the rate in

accordance with the Act beyond the sixteenth day of closure of muster roll.

5. Conditions for demand.— Every adult member of a registered household whose name appears in the

Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card, shall be entitled to apply for unskilled manual work under the Scheme;

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and every such application shall be compulsorily registered, and a receipt issued with the date, which shall

be entered in the given digital platform.

(2) The State shall proactively verify the requirements of the Vulnerable Groups and provide them

with work.

(3) Application for work may be oral or written and made to the Ward member or to the Gram

Panchayat or to the Programme Officer or any person authorised by the Government or through digital

platforms, or through any other means authorised by the Government.

(4) Applications for work may be filed individually or for a group together.

CHAPTER IV

Planning Framework

6. Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan (VGPP).— A future-ready, convergence based local development plan

aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 shall be, formulated by the Gram Panchayat through a

participatory and evidence-based process, and serving as the basis for identification and prioritisation of

works under this Scheme.

(2) There shall be a systematic and participatory planning exercise undertaken at each tier of the

Panchayati Raj system in accordance with the specified methodology. The Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans

shall be prepared by the Gram Panchayats using GIS-based tools, PM Gati Shakti layers and other digital

public infrastructure, and placed before the Gram Sabha for approval. Works proposed to be undertaken by

the Intermediate Panchayat, shall likewise be placed before the respective Panchayats along with the

expected outputs and outcomes. The Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans shall be aggregated at the Block, District

and State levels to ensure coherence with sectoral priorities, broader rural development strategies, and

saturation-based planning for comprehensive coverage of eligible assets and outcomes across all Gram

Panchayats. All works emerging from the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans shall be consolidated into the Viksit

Bharat—National Rural Infrastructure Stack.

(3) Every Gram Panchayat shall prepare saturation-mode plans based on its classification into

Category A, B, C, etc., determined based on development parameters, including proximity to urban areas,

to address the varying needs of the Panchayats. All such works shall be drawn exclusively from the

approved Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan, prepared using PM Gati Shakti, GIS-based tools and other digital

public infrastructure.

(4) Annual plans would be prepared on the basis of the normative allocation.

(5) The works identified in the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans shall be executed through various Central,

State and local schemes in convergence. The schemes to be taken up for such convergence shall be notified

by the Central Government.

(6) While preparing Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans and annual labour demand, no work shall be

proposed for execution during notified peak agricultural periods.

7. Framework for Convergence and Integrated Planning.— A Unified Convergence Framework shall

be established for coherent planning, execution and monitoring of all works undertaken in rural areas, and

for this purpose—

(1) All Central, State or local schemes, as may be notified by the Central Government for the

purpose of convergence and saturation-based planning, shall be brought under a unified planning process

anchored in the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans.

(2) All existing assets and proposed works, whether funded under this Scheme or through any other

Central, State or local scheme, shall be mandatorily registered and tracked through the Viksit Bharat—

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National Rural Infrastructure Stack using the designated digital portal, which shall maintain a

comprehensive register of rural public works, prevent duplication, integrate departmental investments,

and align all works with saturation outcomes.

(3) Single digital backbone for rural public works covering water security, core rural infrastructure,

livelihood-related infrastructure, and special works to mitigate extreme weather events; and all planning

shall follow a strict bottom-up process beginning with the preparation of the Viksit Gram Panchayat

Plan, which shall be successively aggregated at the Block, District and State levels, and the aggregated

State Plan shall be placed before the State Level Steering Committee for approval. Annual plans would

be prepared on the basis of the normative allocation.

(4) Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack shall guide States, Districts and Panchayati Raj

Institutions in identifying priority infrastructure gaps, standardising work designs, and ensuring that

public investments contribute measurably to saturation outcomes at the Gram Panchayat, Block and

District levels.

(5) This institutional architecture shall ensure a single-plan, multi-funding approach, promote

convergence across departments and schemes, and align all rural development efforts with the Viksit

Bharat @ 2047 vision of creating productive, resilient and transformative rural assets.

CHAPTER V

State Institutional Architecture

8. State Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Council.— At the state level, there shall be a State Gramin Rozgar

Guarantee Council, which shall be called the “Goa State Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Council”. The Goa

State Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Council shall consist of the following office bearers/members—

(i) Chief Minister, Government of Goa— Chairperson.

(ii) Minister, Panchayat and Rural Development— Vice-Chairperson.

(iii) Ministers of Finance, Forest, Water Resources, Revenue, Public Works, Agriculture, Tribal and

Scheduled Caste Welfare, Labour, and such others Ministers of Government of Goa, as may be decided

by the Government time to time.

(iv) Chief Secretary, Government of Goa.

(v) Secretary/ Principal Secretary of the respective department.

(vi) Director, Viksit Bharat— Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Goa Scheme—

Member Secretary.

(vii) Not more than 9 non-official members nominated by the Government, representatives of

Panchayati Raj Institutions, representatives of non-governmental organizations and weaker sections of

the society.

(2) The terms and conditions subject to which the Chairperson and members of the State Council may

be appointed and the time, place and procedure of the meetings (including the quorum at such meetings) of

the Council shall be as specified by the Government and one meeting shall be held atleast once in a year.

(3) The duties and functions of the Goa State Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Council shall be as follows:—

(i) advising the Government on all matters concerning the Scheme and its implementation in the

State;

(ii) reviewing the monitoring and redressal mechanisms from time to time and recommending

improvements;

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(iii) monitoring the implementation of Act and the Scheme in the State and coordinating such

implementation with the Central Council;

(iv) preparing the annual report to be laid before the State Legislature by the Government;

(v) any other duty or function as may be assigned to it by the Central Council or the Government.

(4) The State Council shall have the power to undertake an evaluation of the Scheme operating in the

State and for that purpose to collect or cause to be collected statistics pertaining to the rural economy and

the implementation of the Scheme and Programmes in the State.

9. State Level Steering Committee.— There shall be a State Level Steering Committee, chaired by

Chief Secretary to provide operational guidance, coordination, and monitor the implementation of the

Scheme.

(2) Members, namely:—

(i) Principal Secretary or Secretary of the respective Department;

(ii) the Director of Rural Development (in-charge of the Scheme);

(3) The State Level Steering Committee shall—

a. oversee State wide planning and convergence with other programmes;

b. review of district performance and ensure timely preparation of the aggregate State plan;

c. co-ordinate with the National Level Steering Committee and implement directions issued

therefrom;

d. support digital systems, monitoring arrangements, and process improvements at the State level;

and

e. perform such other functions as may be assigned to it by the Government.

f. Director, Directorate of Rural Development shall ensure the implementation of the scheme for

which any required direction, administrative orders or any other action deemed fit shall be issued time to

time to the District, Block and Panchayat Level functionaries under the Scheme.

10. District Programme Coordinator (DPC).— Project Directors, District Rural Development

Agencies shall be District Programme Coordinators for implementation of the scheme in the respective

District.

(2) The functions of the District Programme Coordinator shall be as follows, namely:—

(i) the District Programme Coordinator shall be responsible for the consolidation and finalisation of

the district aggregate plan and shall oversee convergence, implementation and monitoring of the Scheme

at the district level in accordance with the provisions of the Act;

(ii) the District Programme Coordinator shall ensure compliance with the provisions of this Scheme

and with the directions and guidelines issued by the Central Government and the Government, and shall

accord such administrative sanctions and clearances as may be required for the timely and effective

implementation of the Scheme, including those relating to digital, geospatial and monitoring systems;

(iii) Block Development Officers, Programme Officers and Panchayat Secretaries of Gram

Panchayat shall report and act as per the direction of District Programme Coordinator and Director Rural

Development to carry the objective of the Act and implementation of the Scheme.

(iv) District Programme Coordinator shall review, monitor and supervise their performance using

the monitoring framework, management information system and accountability mechanisms established

under the Act and the Scheme;

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(3) The District Programme Coordinator, shall prepare an aggregate plan for the district under his

jurisdiction by consolidating the approved Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans and aggregated Block Plans and

the proposals received from the Zila Panchayats.

12. Programme Officer.— Programme officers appointed by the Government under MGNREGA

scheme shall continue to be Programme Officers under this scheme shall be designated as Programme

Officers at Block level.

(2) The Programme Officer shall assist the Panchayat in discharging its functions under the Act and the

Scheme made thereunder.

(3) The Programme Officer shall be responsible for matching the demand for employment with the

employment opportunities arising from works in the area under his jurisdiction.

(4) The Programme Officer shall prepare an aggregate plan for the Block under his jurisdiction by

consolidating the approved Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans and the proposals received from Panchayats.

(5) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions under clause sub-section (2), the functions of

the Programme Officer shall include—

(i) monitoring all works and projects undertaken by the Gram Panchayats and other implementing

agencies within the Block, ensuring alignment with the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans;

(ii) sanctioning and ensuring payment of unemployment allowance to eligible households in

accordance with the provisions of the Act;

(iii) ensuring prompt and fair payment of wages to all labourers employed under the Scheme within

the Block, including through digital and biometric authenticated payment systems, as may be specified by

the Central Government;

(iv) ensuring that regular social audits of all works within the jurisdiction of each Gram Panchayat are

conducted by the Gram Sabha, and that timely and appropriate action is taken on objections and findings

arising from such audits;

(v) dealing promptly with all complaints and grievances relating to the implementation of the Scheme

within the Block, through the grievance redressal mechanisms established under sub-section (1) of Section

25 of the Act;

(vi) ensuring the geo-tagging, digital recording, and management information system reporting of all

works undertaken within the Block, and compliance with monitoring, productivity, and transparency

framework, specified by the Central Government under the Act;

(vii) facilitating inter-departmental convergence at the Block level to support saturation-driven

planning and the execution of works under the Scheme; and

(viii) any other function as may be assigned to him by the District Programme Coordinator and the

Government under the Act.

(6) The Programme Officer shall perform his functions under the direction, control and

superintendence of the District Programme Coordinator and Block Development Officer for

implementation of this Act.

13. Responsibilities of Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Secretary and Gram Rozgar Sahayak shall be

responsible for.—

(i) registration of households and issuance of Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards;

(ii) receiving work applications and maintaining records of Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards;

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(iii) preparing the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans;

(2) Every Gram Panchayat shall, after considering the recommendations of the Gram Sabha and the

Ward Sabhas, keeping in view of the demand for works, prepare a Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan on

saturation basis;

(3) Annual plans would be prepared on the basis of the normative allocation.

(4) The Programme Officer shall allocate at least fifty per cent. of the works in terms of its cost under

the Scheme to be implemented through the Gram Panchayats:

(5) The Programme Officer shall supply each Gram Panchayat with—

(i) the muster rolls for the works sanctioned to be executed by it;

(ii) a list of employment opportunities available elsewhere to the residents of the Gram Panchayat;

(6) The Gram Panchayat shall allocate employment opportunities among the applicants and ask them

to report for work;

(7) The works taken up by a Gram Panchayat under the Scheme, shall meet the required technical

standards and measurements;

(8) The Gram Panchayat executing works allotted to it by the Programme Officer; and

(9) The Gram Panchayat may take up any work under the Scheme from Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan

within its area, as may be sanctioned by the Programme Officer.

14. Social Audit by Gram Sabha.— The Gram Sabha, shall monitor and review the execution of all

works undertaken under the Scheme within the jurisdiction of the Gram Panchayat, in accordance with the

provisions of the Act.

CHAPTER VI

Registration and Rozgar Guarantee Card

15. Registration of households.— Household Registration—The adult member of every household

residing in any rural area and willing to undertake unskilled manual work, may submit the names, ages and

address of the household to the Gram Panchayat within whose jurisdiction they reside, for the purpose of

registration of the household and issuance of a Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card.

(1) Special Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card shall be issued where the job seeker is—

(a) a single woman; or

(b) a person with disability; or

(d) a released bonded labourer; or

(e) a person belonging to a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group; or

(f) a transgender person.

(2) The Special Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card of a distinct colour, shall ensure special protection in

the providing work, work evaluation, and worksite facilities, as applicable.

16. Issue of Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card.— It shall be the duty of the Gram Panchayat, after

making such enquiry, as it deems fit, to issue a Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card within fifteen days from the

date of receipt of such application, containing therein a unique Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card number

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with details of the registered adult members of the household, their photos, Bank or Post office account

number, insurance policy number and the Aadhaar numbers, if any.

(2) The Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card issued, shall be valid for three years, after which it may be

renewed after due verification.

(3) No Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card shall be cancelled except on any of the following grounds—

(a) where it is found to be a duplicate;

(b) where the entire household has permanently migrated to a place outside the jurisdiction of the

Gram Panchayat and no longer resides in the village; or

(4) The Government shall make arrangements for updating the following details in the Gramin Rozgar

Guarantee Card regularly while mentioning the key guarantees under the Scheme

(a) Number of days for which work was demanded;

(b) Number of days of work allocated;

(d) measurement details;

(e) unemployment allowance, if any, paid;

(f) date-wise amount of wages paid;

(g) delay compensation paid if any;

(h) Asset provided, if any.

(5) Every worker shall have an opportunity of being heard and register any grievance either orally or in

writing, at all implementation levels for disposal as per the provisions of the Grievance Redressal

Mechanism under the Scheme.

17. Issuance of Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card in Case of Dislocation.— Notwithstanding anything

contained in Schedule – II, in the event of any national calamity such as flood, cyclone, tsunami and

earthquake resulting in mass dislocation of rural population, the adult members of rural households of areas

so affected may—

(a) seek for registration and get Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card issued by the Gram Panchayat or

Programme Officer of the area of temporary relocation;

(b) submit written or oral applications for work to the Programme Officer or the Gram Panchayat of

the area of temporary relocation; and

loss or destruction.

(2) The details of such Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards shall be intimated to the District Programme

Coordinator.

(3) In the event of restoration of normalcy, the Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card so issued shall be re-

endorsed at original place of habitation and clubbed with the original Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card on

being retrieved.

(4) The number of days of employment provided shall be counted while computing 125 days of

guaranteed employment per household.

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CHAPTER VII

Demand for Work and Allotment

18. Application for Employment.— (1) Every adult member of a registered household whose name

appears in the Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card, shall be entitled to apply for unskilled manual work under

the Scheme; and every such application shall be compulsorily registered, and a receipt issued with the date,

which shall be entered in the given digital platform.

(2) The Government shall proactively verify the requirements of the Vulnerable Groups and provide

them with work.

(3) Application for work may be oral or written and made to the Ward member or to the Gram

Panchayat or to the Programme Officer or any person authorised by the Government or through digital

platforms, or through any other means authorised by the Government.

(4) Applications may be made individually or jointly for a group together.

(5) There shall be no limit on the number of days of employment for which a person may apply, or on

the number of days of employment actually provided to him subject to the aggregate guarantee of the

household.

(6) Normally, applications for work must be for at least six days of continuous work.

(7) The same applicant may submit multiple applications provided that the corresponding periods for

which employment is sought do not overlap.

19. Allocation of employment.— The Gram Panchayat and Programme Officer shall ensure that every

applicant shall be provided unskilled manual work in accordance with the provisions of the Scheme within

fifteen days of receipt of an application or the date from which he seeks work in case of advance

application, whichever is later.

(2) Priority shall be given to women in such a way that at least one-third of the beneficiaries shall be

women who have registered and requested for work. Efforts to increase participation of single women and

the person with disabilities shall be made.

(3) Applicants who are provided with work shall be so intimated in writing, by means of a letter sent to

him at the address given in the Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card or through any other effective mode of

communication or by a public notice displayed at the office of the Panchayats at district, intermediate or

village level.

(4) A list of persons who are provided with the work shall be displayed on the notice board of the

Gram Panchayat and at the office of the Programme Officer and at such other place as the Programme

Officer may deem necessary and the list shall be open for inspection by the Government and any interested

person.

(5) As far as possible, the employment shall be provided within a radius of five kilometers of the

village where the applicant resides at the time of applying.

(6) A new work under the Scheme can be commenced if at least ten labourers become available for

work, provided that this condition shall not be applicable for new works, as determined by the

Government, in hilly areas and in respect of afforestation works.

(7) In case the employment is provided outside the radius of five kilometers, the labourers shall be

paid ten per cent. of the wage rate as extra wages to meet additional transportation and expenses for living.

(8) A period of employment shall be for at least six days continuously, with not more than six days in a

week.

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CHAPTER VIII

Muster Rolls, Attendance and Measurement

20. Muster rolls.— The muster rolls for works undertaken under this Scheme shall be maintained

through digital systems and shall comply with the following requirements:—

(a) Each muster roll shall be in English and have a unique electronically generated identity number

(e-muster) issued through the management information system.

(b) The muster roll shall include the names of all workers who have demanded or been allocated

work and shall be authenticated by the authorised functionary of the Gram Panchayat or the Programme

Officer.

21. Attendance recording.— Attendance at the worksite shall be recorded daily by an authorised

person using biometric attendance systems, and all attendance details shall be made available for public

viewing on a daily basis through the designated management information system.

22. Measurement of work.— Payment of wages shall only be made based on measurements taken at

the worksite by authorised technical personnel within three days of the closure of the muster roll, and

recorded digitally through systems integrated with the designated management information system.

(2) The Government shall ensure the deployment of adequate technical personnel, in this case engineer

under MGNREGA, to enable timely measurement and execution of works with delegated technical

responsibilities, and shall be paid remuneration as decided by the Government.

CHAPTER IX

Wage Payment and Delay Compensation

23. Wage payment.— Wage rate to be paid to the worker will be decided and notified by the Central

Government.

(ii) The disbursement of daily wages shall be made on a weekly basis or in any case not later than a

fortnight after the date on which such work was done.

24. Mode of payment.— The payment of wages shall, unless so exempted by the Central Government,

be made through the individual savings accounts of the workers in the relevant Banks or Post Offices.

25. Delay compensation.— In case the payment of wages is not made within fifteen days from the date

of closure of the muster roll, the wage seekers shall be entitled to receive payment of compensation for the

delay, at the rate in accordance with the Act beyond the sixteenth day of closure of muster roll.

(2) Any delay in payment of compensation beyond a period of fifteen days from the date it becomes

payable, shall be considered in the same manner as the delay in payment of wages.

(3) For the purpose of ensuring accountability in payment of wages and to calculate culpability of

various functionaries or agencies, the Government shall divide the processes leading to determination and

payment of wages into various stages such as,—

(a) measurement of work;

(b) computerising the muster rolls;

(d) generation of wage lists; and

(e) Uploading Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs), and specifying stage-wise maximum time limits along

with the functionary or agency which is responsible for discharging the specific function.

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(4) The computer system shall have a provision to automatically calculate the compensation payable

based on the date of closure of the muster roll and the date of deposit of wages in the accounts of the wage

seekers.

(5) District Programme Coordinator and Programme Officer shall ensure timely payment of delay

compensation after verification within the time limit as provisioned in the Act.

(6) The number of days of delay, the compensation payable and actually paid shall be reflected in the

Management Information System.

CHAPTER X

Unemployment Allowance

26. Eligibility.— If an applicant for employment under the Scheme is not provided such employment

within fifteen days of receipt of his application seeking employment or from the date on which the

employment has been sought in the case of an advance application, whichever is later, he shall be entitled

to a daily unemployment allowance in accordance with the provision of the Act.

(2) No such rate shall be less than one-fourth of the notified wage rate for the first thirty days during

the financial year and not less than one-half of the wage rate for the remaining period of the financial year

27. Procedure.— Procedure shall be notified by Government in consultation with State Council.

CHAPTER XI

Categories of works and eligibility criteria for individual beneficiary work

28. Works and Categories under the Scheme.— (1) Focus of the Scheme—Classification of Works:

The Scheme shall focus on the following categories of works, as identified in the Viksit Gram Panchayat

Plans and aggregated into the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack.

(2) The works to be taken up under the Scheme, shall fall under the following Categories, together

with their thematic focus and intended outcomes, namely:—

A. Category I—Water-Related Works (for Water Security)—

(a) The focus shall include conservation, irrigation, groundwater recharge, source sustainability,

rejuvenation of water bodies, watershed development and afforestation and the Illustrative works

include—

(i) construction of canals, flood or diversion channels, check dams, gully plugs and

underground dykes;

(ii) construction or rejuvenation of ponds, percolation tanks, recharge pits, recharge shafts,

injection wells and associated water harvesting structures;

(iii) irrigation open wells, micro-irrigation channels and field water distribution systems;

(iv) reclamation of community waterlogged land;

(v) afforestation and plantation works linked with soil and moisture conservation; and

(vi) rooftop rainwater harvesting and other decentralized recharge systems.

(b) Intended Outcomes—strengthening of water security through integrated water resource

management, recharge and conservation for long-term climate resilience.

B. Category II—Core Rural Infrastructure.—

(a) Thematic focus shall include core civic, social, governance and service-delivery infrastructure

relating to education, health, drinking water, sanitation, connectivity, renewable energy and

community services and the Illustrative works include—

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(i) construction or upgradation of rural roads, culverts, cross-drainage structures and village

connectivity facilities;

(ii) construction of Gram Panchayat Bhawans, Anganwadi centres, rural libraries and other

public buildings;

(iii) construction of school infrastructure, including kitchen sheds, additional classrooms,

laboratories, compound walls and playgrounds;

(iv) crematoria and community infrastructure;

(v) solid and liquid waste management assets, including stabilising ponds, community sanitary

complexes, and waste segregation and collection centres;

(vi) installation of solar lighting systems and other renewable rural energy infrastructure;

(vii) village parking areas, transport sheds and other common rural amenities;

(viii) rural housing works permissible under the schemes of the Central Government, including

those permitted under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana—Gramin; and

(ix) repair and maintenance of works created under the Jal Jeevan Mission for ensuring water

supply.

(b) Intended Outcome—Creation of foundational civic and social infrastructure ensuring basic

amenities, improved service access and enhanced quality of life in rural areas.

C. Category III—Livelihood-related Infrastructure—

(a) Thematic focus shall include productive assets and facilities that enhance rural livelihoods

through agriculture, livestock, fisheries, value addition, skilling and enterprise development and the

Illustrative works include—

(i) construction of training-cum-skill development centres and work sheds for livelihood

activities;

(ii) rural haats or weekly markets and other market infrastructure;

(iii) food grain storage buildings, agricultural produce storage structures, cold storage units and

other agri-value chain infrastructure;

(iv) buildings for Self Help Groups and federation-level institutions;

(v) compost structures, including vermicompost and NADEP units;

(vi) development of silvipasture grasslands, dairy infrastructure and shelters for cattle, goats,

pigs, poultry and other livestock;

(vii) fisheries-related infrastructure, including fish drying yards;

(viii) raising of nurseries and production of building material; and

(ix) Integrated projects promoting circular and cyclical economy models, as may be approved

by the Central Government.

(b) Intended Outcome—Strengthening of sustainable livelihoods, value addition, enterprise

development and self-reliant rural economies.

D. Category IV—Special works to mitigate Extreme Weather Events and Disaster Preparedness—

(a) Thematic focus shall include disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, and protection of

rural communities and assets from floods, cyclones, storms, droughts, landslides, forest fires and other

extreme weather events and the Illustrative works include—

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(i) construction of cyclone shelters, flood shelters and multipurpose disaster resilient structures;

(ii) construction of diversion channels, embankments and other disaster-mitigation works;

(iii) stabilising ponds and water structures for flood management;

(iv) post-disaster rehabilitation, restoration and repair of rural roads and community assets;

(v) windbreak and shelterbelt plantations; and

(vi) forest fire management works, including fire breaks, fuel buffer zones and allied measures.

(b) Intended Outcome— Creation of climate-resilient villages capable of withstanding extreme

weather conditions.

(3) Any other public work which may be notified by the Central Government.

(4) Maintenance of rural public assets created under the Act.

(5) Works for individual beneficiaries, including but not limited to housing-related works under the

Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana—Gramin, sanitation-related works, and other beneficiary-oriented

developmental works undertaken under various schemes of the Central Government from time to time and

expressly notified for inclusion under the Scheme, may also be taken up. The eligibility of such

beneficiaries shall be as notified by the Central Government, aligned with the eligibility criteria specified

under the respective Central Government schemes, with all such works conforming to the norms, standards

and guidelines issued by the Central Government.

29. Eligibility Criteria of the Beneficiary for Individual Beneficiary Work.— Without prejudice to the

generality of the above, works creating individual assets as notified by the Central Government shall be

prioritised on land or homestead owned by households belonging to:—

(a) the Scheduled Castes;

(b) the Scheduled Tribes;

(d) denotified tribes;

(e) economically weaker sections of the society as identified based on criteria notified by the Central

Government;

(f) women-headed households;

(g) households headed by persons with disabilities;

(h) beneficiaries of land reforms;

(i) beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana—Gramin (PMAY-G); and

(j) beneficiaries under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of

Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (2 of 2007), and after exhausting the eligible beneficiaries under the above

categories, works may be taken up on the lands of small or marginal farmers as identified on the basis of

criteria notified by the Central Government, subject to such Household Registration—The adult member

of every household residing in any rural area and willing to undertake unskilled manual work, may

submit the names, ages and address of the household to the Gram Panchayat within whose jurisdiction

they reside, for the purpose of registration of the household and issuance of a Gramin Rozgar Guarantee

Card conditions as may be notified by the Central Government, including the requirement that such

households possess a valid job card and have at least one adult member willing to work on the project

undertaken on their land or homestead.

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CHAPTER XII

Worksite Management and Safety

30. Facilities at worksites.— For the purpose of transparency at the worksite, the following shall be

ensured—

(a) there shall be a project initiation meeting in which various provisions of the work shall be

explained to the workers;

(b) a copy of the sanction work order shall be available for public inspection at the worksite;

inspection;

(d) a Citizens’ Information Board shall be put up at every worksite and Updated regularly in the

manner specified by the Central Government;

(e) The Vigilance and Monitoring Committee set up according to the instructions of the Central

Government may check all works and its evaluation report will be recorded in the Works Register in the

format specified by the Central Government and submitted to the Gram Sabha during the Social Audit.

(2) The facilities of safe drinking water, shade for children and periods of rest, first aid box with

adequate material for emergency treatment for minor injuries and other health hazards connected with the

work being performed shall be provided at the worksite.

(3) In case the number of children below the age of five years accompanying the women working at

any site is five or more, provisions shall be made to depute one of such women workers to look after such

children. The person so deputed shall be paid wage rate.

31. Safety and accidents.— If any personal injury is caused to any person employed under the Scheme

by any accident arising out of and in the course of his employment, he shall be entitled to such medical

treatment as required, free of cost.

CHAPTER XIII

Restriction on undertaking works during Peak Agricultural Seasons

32. Notification of Peak Agricultural Seasons.— The Government shall, in advance of each financial

year, notify a period or periods aggregating to sixty days in a financial year, covering the peak agricultural

seasons of sowing and harvesting, during which no works under the Scheme shall be undertaken.

33. Area-Specific Notifications.— The Government may issue distinct notifications for different areas

of the State, including districts, blocks or Gram Panchayats, having regard to—

(a) agro-climatic zones;

(b) local patterns of agricultural activities; and

(2) Every notification issued under this provision shall have binding effect for the purposes of the Act

and the Scheme.

34. Prohibition on Works during Notified Periods.— All authorities responsible for planning,

sanctioning or executing works under the Scheme shall ensure that no work is undertaken during the

periods notified as peak agricultural seasons.

35. Scheduling of Works.— The Programme Officer and other implementing authorities shall, while

approving the aggregated Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans and scheduling works, ensure that all works are

taken up only outside the notified peak agricultural seasons.

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(2) Where hospitalisation of the injured worker is necessary, the Government shall arrange for such

hospitalisation including accommodation, treatment, medicines and payment of daily allowance which is

not less than half of the wage rate.

(3) If a person employed under the Scheme meets with death or becomes permanently disabled by

accident arising out of and in the course of employment, he or his legal heirs, as the case may be, shall be

paid by the implementing agency an ex gratia as per entitlement under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima

Yojana or as may be notified by the Central Government.

(4) If any personal injury is caused by accident to a child accompanying a person who is employed

under the Scheme, such person shall be entitled to medical treatment free of cost; and in case of death or

disablement of the child due to the said accident, ex gratia shall be paid to the legal guardians as

determined by the Government.

CHAPTER XIV

Estimate, Sanctioning and Work Execution

36. Estimates.— (1) Technical Estimates and Standards for Works—Every work under this Scheme

shall have a technical estimate and design sanctioned by Engineer, based on the framework aligned

appointment by the Government of Goa under MGNREGA with the Viksit Bharat National Rural

Infrastructure Stack.

(2) For works involving construction, appropriate labour-intensive technologies, depending upon the

availability of labour and the use of local materials, shall be employed to the extent feasible.

(3) Bills of quantities shall use clear and commonly understood terminology to ensure transparency for

all stakeholders.

(4) Each work shall have a summary of the estimate, design and a technical note indicating the

expected outputs and outcomes.

(5) All technical estimates, designs and outcome notes shall be generated or uploaded through digital

systems integrated with the designated management information system.

37. Administrative and Financial Sanctions.— Works finalised at the Gram Panchayat level through

the approved Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan and aggregated at the Block and District levels shall be accorded

administrative or financial sanction by the competent authority as per the requirements and within thirty

days.

38. Wage Linkage to Output and Schedule of Rates.— The State Government shall ensure that wages

without any gender bias are linked to the quantum of work completed, in accordance with the Rural

Schedule of Rates notified on the basis of time-and-motion studies for different types of work and different

seasons and revised periodically.

39. Special Schedule of Rates for Vulnerable Groups.— A separate Schedule of Rates shall be finalised

for women, the elderly, persons with disabilities and persons with debilitating ailments to facilitate their

productive participation in suitable categories of work.

40. Working Hours and Earning Norms.— (1) The Schedule of Rates shall be framed so that an adult

person working for eight hours, inclusive of one hour of rest, can earn an amount equivalent to the notified

wage rate.

(2) Working hours of an adult worker may be flexible but shall not extend beyond twelve hours in a

day, including intervals for rest.

41. Inspection and Quality Control.— The Block Development Officers shall of Goa ensure regular

inspection and supervision of works by designated quality-control teams to verify adherence to quality

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standards, accuracy of measurements and conformity of wage payments to the actual quantum of work

executed. Inspection reports shall be uploaded to the management information system.

42. Completion of Ongoing Works.— At the time of opening new works, it shall be ensured that

ongoing or incomplete works are prioritised for completion, subject to planning norms and the approved

Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans.

43. Execution Without Contractors.— No contractor shall be engaged for the execution of any work or

component financed through expenditure under this Act. All such works shall be executed directly by the

implementing agencies in accordance with the processes laid down under the Scheme, including mandatory

proactive disclosures and the social audit process.

(2) In cases of convergence where components of a work are financed under other schemes, the

execution of those components may follow the norms of the converging scheme, including the use of

contractors where permitted.

(3) As far as practicable, works executed by the programme implementation agencies shall be

performed by using manual labour and no labour displacing machines shall be used

44. Transparent Procurement of Materials.— All materials required for the execution of works shall be

procured by the Gram Panchayat or the implementing agency through transparent procurement systems,

including e-tendering processes, as specified by the Government.

CHAPTER XV

Funding Pattern and Financial Arrangements

45. Funding Pattern.— Centrally Sponsored Scheme: The Scheme shall be implemented as a Centrally

Sponsored Scheme by Cost Sharing between the Central Government and the Government of Goa. The

funding pattern under the Scheme shall 60:40 between the Central Government and the Government of

Goa.

46. Financial Arrangements.— State-wise Normative Allocation: The Central Government shall

determine, for every financial year, a State-wise normative allocation for implementation of the Scheme,

based on such objective parameters as may be communicated from time to time.

(2) Expenditure Beyond Normative Allocation: Any expenditure incurred by the Government of Goa

over and above the State-wise normative allocation shall be borne by the Government of Goa.

(3) Central Share: The share of the Central Government, within the approved allocation, shall include

expenditure towards:—

(i) payment of wages for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled labour engaged under the Scheme;

(ii) the material component of works, subject to the provisions contained in Schedule-I; and

(iii) such administrative expenses as may be specified by the Central Government, including—

(a) salary and allowances of Programme Officers and supporting staff,

(b) administrative expenses of the Central Council,

(d) such other items.

(4) State Share: The share of the Government of Goa, within the approved allocation, shall include

expenditure towards—

(a) payment of wages for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled labour engaged under the Scheme;

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(b) the material component of works, subject to Schedule-I; and

(a) salary and allowances of Programme Officers and supporting staff,

(b) administrative expenses of the State Council,

(d) such other items.

(5) Unemployment Allowance and Delay Compensation: The Government shall bear the expenditure

towards unemployment allowance and delay compensation payable under the Scheme, as per the

provisions notified/issued by the Government.

(6) Intra-State distribution of normative Allocation: The Government shall, upon receipt of the

approved normative allocation from the Central Government, ensure equitable, need-based and transparent

intra-State distribution of the allocation across districts and Gram Panchayats, taking into consideration the

categorisation of Gram Panchayats and the assessed local needs for determining Gram Panchayat-wise

allocations and corresponding district allocations; and the detailed methodology, parameters and procedural

requirements for such distribution shall be notified by the Central Government.

(7) Out of the administrative costs allowed under the Scheme, at least one-third shall be utilised at the

Gram Panchayat level to employ and pay the Gram Rozgar Sahayak, other technical personnel as per the

work done and for other administrative expenses.

(8) The administrative expenses related to implementation of the Scheme shall be borned by the

Government, not specified or prescribed by the Central Government.

CHAPTER XVI

Transparency and Public Disclosure

47. Proactive disclosure.— Mandatory Public disclosure shall be undertaken through digital systems

integrated with the designated management information system and displayed at the village level for public

scrutiny.

(2) Display at every worksite a “Janata Board” indicating details of the work.

(3) Public disclosure of all information relating to works, labour demand, employment provided,

payments, material utilisation and physical progress under this Scheme shall be carried out through digital

systems integrated with the designated portal. Weekly disclosures shall be automatically generated and

displayed in a publicly accessible physical and digital formats. In addition, the Gram Panchayat shall

convene weekly disclosure meetings in the Gram Panchayat Bhawan to present the status of works,

payments, grievances and other relevant information before the community.

(4) Block Development Officer and Programme Officer shall ensure that their official websites are

regularly updated in compliance with Clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the Right to Information

Act, 2005 (22 of 2005), with all information on the Act available in free, downloadable electronic form.

CHAPTER XVII

Social Audit

48. Conduct of Social Audit.— All works, expenditures and guarantees under this Scheme shall be

subject to social audit at least once every six months.

(2) The procedure, standards and modalities for conducting social audits shall be as per the rules

notified by the Central Government.

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(3) Until such rules are notified, the provisions of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment

Guarantee Audit of Schemes Rules, 2011 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the conduct of social audits

under the Act.

49. Compliance with findings.— Findings of the social audit shall be placed in the Gram Sabha.

(2) Corrective and recovery actions shall be initiated without delay.

(3) Action-taken reports shall be recorded in the MIS.

(4) Any misappropriation of amounts spent under the Scheme shall be recoverable under the relevant

revenue laws for recovery prevailing in the State.

(5) The portion of such recoveries pertaining to the Central share shall be remitted to the Consolidated

Fund of India through the mechanism established by the Central Government.

50. Annual Reporting.— The District Programme Coordinator, the Programme Officer and each Gram

Panchayat shall prepare an annual report detailing facts, figures and achievements relating to the

implementation of the Scheme within their jurisdiction. A copy of such report shall be made available to

the public in physical or electronic form, on payment of such fee or charges as may be specified.

CHAPTER XVIII

Grievance Redressal and Ombudsperson

51. Grievance Redressal Mechanism.— An effective grievance redressal mechanism shall be

established under the Scheme, comprising the following components, namely:—

(1) Institutional mechanisms for receiving grievances at the Ward, Gram Panchayat, Block and

District levels, with at least one designated day each week when officials shall be mandatorily available

to receive grievances;

(2) Every worker shall have an opportunity of being heard and register any grievance either orally or

in writing, at all implementation levels for disposal as per the provisions of the Grievance Redressal

Mechanism under the Scheme.

(3) Issuance of a dated acknowledgement for all grievances submitted in writing, telephonically,

online, or orally to any authorised functionary;

(4) Enquiry through spot verification or inspection and disposal shall be completed within seven

working days of receipt of the grievance;

(5) Upon completion of the enquiry, the concerned authority shall initiate immediate corrective

action, and the grievance shall be resolved within fifteen days;

(6) Failure to dispose of a grievance within seven working days at the level determined, shall be

treated as a contravention of the provisions of the Act;

(7) Where prima facie evidence of financial irregularity is revealed during preliminary enquiry or

through findings of the social audit report, the District Programme Coordinator shall, after obtaining

legal advice, ensure that a First Information Report is lodged and necessary proceedings initiated;

(8) The concerned authority shall inform the complainant in writing, physically or digitally, of the

conclusions of the enquiry and the steps taken for redressal;

(9) Action taken on grievances received by all implementing agencies shall be placed before the

meetings of the Intermediate Panchayat and the District Panchayat for review and monitoring;

(10) Appeals against the orders of the Gram Panchayat shall lie before the Block Development

Officer; appeals against the orders of the Block Development Officer shall lie before the District

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Programme Co-ordinator; appeals against the orders of the District Programme Co-ordinator shall lie

before the State Grievance Redressal Authority or any officer designated by the State Government;

(11) All appeals shall be filed within forty-five days from the date of the order;

(12) All appeals shall be disposed of within thirty days from the date of receipt;

(13) Any grievance not resolved within fifteen days at the Ward, Gram Panchayat, Block or District

level shall be automatically escalated to the next higher level through digital systems integrated with the

designated management information system, and such escalations shall be continuously monitored

electronically.

52. Record maintenance and grievance redressal system.— The Gram Panchayat shall prepare and

maintain or cause to be prepared and maintained such registers, vouchers and other documents in such

form and in such manner as may be specified in the Scheme containing particulars of Gramin Rozgar

Guarantee Cards and pass books issued, name, age and address of the head of the household and the adult

members of the households registered with the Gram Panchayat.

53. Ombudsperson.— The Government shall appoint an Ombudsperson for each District to receive

grievances, conduct enquiries and issue awards in accordance with the guidelines notified by the Central

Government and the Government of Goa. The Ombudsperson shall operate through digital platforms

integrated with the designated digital portal under this Act.

CHAPTER XIX

Monitoring, Inspection and Evaluation

54. Monitoring.— The Government shall monitor implementation at State, District and Block levels.

(2) Dashboards and analytical reports shall be maintained in the MIS.

55. Evaluation.— Independent evaluations shall be undertaken periodically to assess outcomes and

impact.

(2) For ensuring measurable outcomes and real-time accountability, technology-enabled monitoring

shall be mandated for tracking work execution and post-completion asset outcomes, supported by verified

data systems and spatial technologies. Weekly public disclosures shall be reinforced through a

comprehensive transparency framework. A Concurrent Evaluation Mechanism as specified by the Central

Government, shall provide continuous vigilance and enable timely corrective action.

CHAPTER XX

Training and Capacity Building

56. Training and Capacity Building.— (1) The Government shall prepare and implement a dedicated

plan for capacity building and strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions for effective planning,

execution, supervision and monitoring of the Scheme.

(2) The capacity-building plan shall, inter alia, include activities relating to:

(a) training of elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions on roles and

responsibilities under the Scheme;

(b) Information, Education and Communication (IEC) initiatives to enhance awareness regarding

the provisions of the Scheme, transparency mechanisms and community participation;

tools and other digital platforms;

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(d) Strengthening institutional systems in Panchayati Raj Institutions for record keeping, financial

management, grievance redressal, social audit and asset maintenance.

(3) The plan shall be prepared annually, based on field requirements, and shall be integrated with the

State Training and Capacity Building framework under the Scheme.

(4) Panchayati Raj Institutions shall extend full cooperation in organising such capacity-building

initiatives and shall ensure participation of elected representatives and functionaries.

(5) Expenditure on activities undertaken under this provision shall be met from permissible

administrative and capacity-building heads, as may be specified by the Central Government and the

Government of Goa.

CHAPTER XXI

Closing Formula

57. Power to remove difficulties.— The scheme shall be read harmoniously with the provisions of the

Act. In the event of any inconsistency, the provisions of the Act shall prevail.

(2) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Scheme, the Government may by

order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of the

Act as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing of the difficulty.

By order and in the name of the Governor of Goa.

Sd/- Director, Rural Development and ex officio Jt. Secretary.

Panaji.

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