Centre makes Direct Benefit Transfer mandatory for rural employment payments

Panchkula, July 2 -- In a significant reform aimed at making rural employment payments faster, more transparent and free from leakages, the Centre has made Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) the only mode for payment of wages and unemployment allowance under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (GRAMIN).

With the notification of the VB-GRAMIN: Manner of Payment of Wages and Unemployment Allowance Rules, 2026, every rupee payable to beneficiaries will now be transferred electronically into their bank or post office accounts, effectively ending the practice of cash payments under the scheme. The Ministry of Rural Development notified the rules in the Gazette, bringing them into force with immediate effect.

The rules have b...