Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed the National Workshop on Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Scheme, delivering a strong message against fraud and irregularities. The Minister explicitly stated that fraud in the scheme "will not be tolerated at any cost" and warned that no one involved in irregularities would be spared, with immediate action to be taken against violations.
The scheme incorporates technological safeguards to prevent fraud, including mandatory face authentication-based attendance for workers, designed to eliminate past issues like fake muster rolls where "a worker would sit in Delhi while money would be withdrawn from the village" under MGNREGA. Officials were directed to conduct random inspections of works, appreciate properly executed projects, and take strict action where irregularities are found, particularly in cases such as engaging workers at already completed sites like full ponds.
The scheme aims to provide 100 to 125 days of employment to workers while ensuring they "should not remain without work even for an hour" and receive timely wage payments. Expenditure must follow the 60% wage and 40% material ratio at the district level, with focus on creating durable and useful assets that contribute to village development rather than mere earthmoving. The ultimate objective is to build 'ViksitGaon' (developed villages) as a foundation for 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India), creating assets that strengthen the rural economy and make villages self-reliant.
The workshop was attended by elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Commissioners and senior officials of States and Union Territories, held on September 17, 2026, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, whom the Minister praised for his dedication to national service.