Govt Launches ₹25,863 Crore Scheme for Rural Employment
Union Minister for Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, convened a video conference today with the Rural Development Ministers from all States and Union Territories to review the rollout of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G-RAM-G]. During this meeting, he announced the release of the initial installment of ₹25,863 crore to support the implementation of the scheme across the country.
Shri Chouhan expressed optimism about the scheme, stating that the Government is committed to implementing VB-G-RAM-G without any interruptions starting from July 1, 2026. He noted with satisfaction that the rollout of the scheme has progressed smoothly, with no reported technical or operational issues during the transition from MGNREGA to VB-G-RAM-G.
The Minister emphasized the importance of serving poor workers, equating it to serving God. He stated the government’s mission is to provide dignified employment, ensure timely wage payments, and create sustainable rural assets for workers. In a noteworthy achievement, he highlighted that while MGNREGA took nearly three years to launch nationwide, VB-G-RAM-G has been implemented seamlessly in just one day, a testament to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and effective collaboration across states.
Shri Chouhan acknowledged the prompt start of work within numerous Gram Panchayats during the first week, resulting in large-scale employment for rural workers. He specifically praised the efforts of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Rajasthan for generating significant job opportunities from day one. He urged Odisha and West Bengal to expedite their project implementations and requested Jharkhand to finalize notifications and budget provisions for the scheme.
Importantly, the Minister announced a wage rate increase under VB-G-RAM-G by an average of 10 percent, ensuring that no state’s wage rate falls below ₹300 per day. This move reflects the government’s dedication to enhancing the income and social security for rural laborers.
The first installment of ₹25,863 crore is intended to equip States with the necessary funds to ensure wages are disbursed within 15 days. Shri Chouhan urged states to release their matching contributions promptly to prevent wage payment delays. He reassured that there would be sufficient funds available for effective scheme implementation, emphasizing that Gram Sabhas and Panchayats need to select projects aligning with local demands for holistic rural development.
Highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability, he advocated for the full implementation of technological measures such as Face Authentication and Geo-tagging to mitigate irregularities and fraud. The government remains committed to transparency and the successful creation of quality assets.
Additionally, Shri Chouhan announced the deployment of Area Officers, led by Joint Secretary-level officials, to provide ongoing support to the States, ensuring efficient resolution of any implementation challenges. He reiterated that timely wage payments are a joint responsibility between the central and state governments. While the Central Government has released funds promptly, state governments are urged to similarly act without delay to guarantee all eligible workers receive their wages on time.
The meeting saw participation from Minister of State for Rural Development, Dr. Chandrasekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State Shri Kamlesh Paswan, and Rural Development Ministers from various states and Union Territories, among other senior officials.
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