New Grievance Redressal Rules 2026 Announced for VB-G RAM G Scheme

According to a PIB report, the VB-G RAM G - Grievance Redressal Rules, 2026 have been officially notified under the Viksit Bharat – Rozgar aur Aajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB-G RAM G (VB-G RAM G) Act developed by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. The primary objective of these new rules is to establish a streamlined, multi-tier, and time-bound framework for the redressal of grievances arising during the implementation of the scheme. This will make the grievance redressal process more accessible, transparent, and accountable for citizens, ensuring that the rights and entitlements of rural families are protected and their issues are resolved in a timely manner.

Under the new rules, State Governments will establish a time-bound and multi-tier grievance redressal mechanism at the Gram Panchayat, block, and district levels. Grievance Redressal Officers appointed at the respective appropriate levels will be responsible for receiving, registering, investigating, and disposing of grievances. At the district level, the District Programme Coordinator will oversee this entire system and ensure that grievances are disposed of through the prescribed procedure and digital public infrastructure.

To enable any person to submit a grievance regarding any matter connected with the implementation of the scheme, the rules provide for multiple channels. Grievances received in physical form (in person or by paper) at the Gram Panchayat, block, or district level must be mandatorily registered on the prescribed digital public infrastructure on the same day or, if that is not possible, on the next working day. Upon registration of the grievance, an acknowledgment will be given to the applicant, showing the registration number, date of receipt of the grievance, and the designation of the officer receiving the grievance. This acknowledgment will be provided in electronic form for grievances sent through digital channels and in physical form for grievances received physically.

One of the most important aspects of these rules is that no grievance can be refused registration on the ground of its format, language, manner of submission, or any procedural defect. This provision ensures that no citizen is deprived of the benefit of the grievance redressal process due to procedural requirements. A specific time limit has been fixed in the rules for the prompt investigation and resolution of grievances. The designated Grievance Redressal Officer will examine every registered grievance and conduct necessary investigations. For this process, the officer may call for relevant records, registers, documents, reports, electronic data, or other information from the concerned authorities or employees.

Where considered necessary, the applicant will be provided a reasonable opportunity of being heard in person or through electronic media before the disposal of the grievance. The investigation must be completed within 7 working days from the date of receipt of the grievance. After the completion of the investigation, the Grievance Redressal Officer will record their findings and take or cause to be taken appropriate corrective or remedial measures in accordance with the Act and the rules. The final resolution of every grievance must be brought about within 15 days from the date of its receipt.

The findings of the investigation and details of the action taken will be recorded on the prescribed digital public infrastructure and communicated to the applicant. In the case of grievances received in physical form, the outcome and information on the action taken will also be sent to the applicant in physical form. End-to-end tracking of the entire process from the registration of grievances to their final disposal will be possible through the medium of the prescribed digital public infrastructure. This will enable electronic recording of investigations, findings, and actions taken, further strengthening transparency and accountability in the entire process.

If any grievance remains unresolved within the prescribed period of 15 days, it will be automatically escalated to the next higher level under the grievance redressal mechanism established by the State Government. The authority receiving this auto-escalated grievance at the higher level will examine the entire matter and take appropriate steps for its disposal. Such unresolved grievances will be continuously monitored through digital means until they are resolved. In addition, provision has been made to appeal against orders passed under this grievance redressal mechanism. Such appeals will be filed and disposed of in accordance with Schedule-I of the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025.

Through these rules, the government intends to institutionalize a citizen-centric, accessible, and time-bound grievance redressal framework under the VB-G RAM G scheme. The report states that the multi-tier institutional system, multiple channels for lodging grievances, mandatory registration, prescribed time limits, digital tracking, and the system of escalating unresolved grievances to higher levels will enhance administrative accountability and improve the implementation efficiency of the scheme.