ADVERTISEMENTThe outgoing MGNREGA contained a clause stating the “scheme shall not permit engaging any contractor for implementation of the projects under it”. Under the new VB-G RAM G regime, contractors can be engaged for “convergence” projects — mostly construction work related to, and requiring coordination between, multiple government departments and ministries. Activist Nikhil Dey said the involvement of contractors might lead to denial of work for large segments of the targeted beneficiaries — local rural families — eroding the main objective of the programme. Cap acheInitially, this 40 per cent cap was enforced at the level of the gram panchayats, which chose and implemented the projects. Narayanan said the 40 per cent cap on the expenditure on materials had been breached routinely at the gram panchayat level since 2016.

Source: The Telegraph December 22, 2025 06:37 UTC