MAINS Current Affairs includes Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission – Gramin (VB-G RAM G) & Iran–United States Peace Deal

GOVERNANCE

1. Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission – Gramin (VB-G RAM G)

Context

• Workers’ organisations and activists have demanded the repeal of VB-G RAM G Act, citing concerns over employment guarantee, funding structure, wage protection, and implementation issues.
• The Act replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.

About VB-G RAM G

Shift in Employment Framework

• Replaces the demand-driven model of MGNREGA with a more supply-driven allocation system based on government planning.

Enhanced Employment Guarantee

• Increases rural wage employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days per household annually for adults willing to undertake unskilled manual work.

Funding Pattern

• Operates as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme:
  • 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States/UTs.
  • 60:40 for other States.

Protection of Agricultural Seasons

• States can declare up to 60 days during peak sowing and harvesting seasons when works under the Act will not be undertaken to ensure farm labour availability.

Fund Allocation Mechanism

• Introduces need-based normative allocation among districts and Gram Panchayats considering local developmental requirements.

Unemployment Allowance

• If eligible applicants do not receive work within the prescribed time, State Governments must provide unemployment allowance.

Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan (VGPP)

• Rural works will be planned through Gram Panchayat-based development plans integrated with national spatial planning systems.

Institutional Monitoring

• Central and State Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Councils will monitor implementation and review progress.

Concerns Raised by Workers

Financial Feasibility Issues

• Activists argue that the guarantee of 125 days of employment lacks adequate financial support, making implementation difficult.

Wage Protection Concerns

• Absence of clear provisions guaranteeing statutory minimum wages may weaken worker protection.

Digital Exclusion

• Dependence on biometric authentication and facial recognition may cause wage delays and exclusion due to technical failures.

Shift from Demand-Based Approach

• Unlike MGNREGA’s bottom-up demand-based system, VB-G RAM G follows a top-down allocation model, reducing local flexibility.

Increased Burden on States

• The 60:40 funding model may increase financial pressure on States and create regional differences in implementation capacity.

Way Forward

• Ensure adequate financial allocation matching the increased employment guarantee.
• Strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms for delayed payments and technology failures.
• Protect worker rights through guaranteed minimum wages and timely payments.
• Balance central planning with Gram Panchayat-level participation.
• Improve convergence with agriculture, skill development, and rural livelihood schemes.

Conclusion

Rural employment programmes need periodic reforms to match changing economic conditions, but such reforms must preserve the principles of livelihood security, decentralised planning, transparency, and inclusive rural development.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2. Iran–United States Peace Deal

Context

• Recent reports indicate that Iran and the United States have reached a preliminary framework for renewed diplomatic engagement after years of geopolitical tensions.
• The proposed arrangement aims at de-escalation, sanctions negotiations, and regional stability.

Background

• The framework includes a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining:
  • Reduction of military tensions.
  • Restoration of commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Negotiations on sanctions relief.
  • Immediate halt to military actions, including in Lebanon.
  • A 60-day negotiation period for further diplomatic progress.

Evolution of Iran–US Nuclear Diplomacy

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), 2015

• Signed between Iran and P5+1 countries (US, UK, France, Russia, China + Germany).
• Iran agreed to:
  • Limit uranium enrichment.
  • Allow international nuclear inspections.
• In return, economic sanctions against Iran were relaxed.

US Withdrawal (2018)

• The US withdrew from the JCPOA and reimposed economic sanctions on Iran.
• Iran responded by gradually reducing compliance with nuclear restrictions.

Potential Opportunities of Iran–US Agreement

Regional Stability

• Reduced tensions can decrease chances of direct military confrontation and proxy conflicts in West Asia.

Energy Security

• Stability in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz can ensure smoother oil supply and reduce global energy price fluctuations.

Economic Recovery

• Improved security conditions may promote trade, investment, and reconstruction in conflict-affected regions.

Benefits for India

• Peace in the region can support India’s strategic interests by:
  • Accelerating Chabahar Port development.
  • Strengthening the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
  • Improving energy security.

Challenges

Historical Mistrust

• Decades of hostility and conflicting strategic interests make long-term cooperation difficult.

Proxy Conflicts

• Influence of non-state armed groups and regional rivalries complicates peace efforts.

Nuclear Disagreements

• Differences remain over Iran’s uranium enrichment programme, inspections, and future nuclear commitments.

Regional Security Concerns

• Balancing interests of regional powers and allies remains a major diplomatic challenge.

Conclusion

The Iran–US diplomatic engagement reflects the importance of dialogue and confidence-building measures in resolving geopolitical conflicts.

Although major differences remain, sustained negotiations can promote peace, energy security, and stability in West Asia, benefiting global and Indian strategic interests.

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