Govt. releases ₹25,863 cr. for VB-G RAM G scheme
SOCIAL – SCHEMES
6 JULY 2026
- Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan released the first instalment of ₹25,863 crore to the States for the rural employment programme under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, or VB-G RAM G, even as concerns remain over the centralised planning for the programme.
- Uttar Pradesh received the highest allocation at ₹3,210.76 crore, followed by Andhra Pradesh at ₹2,545.5 crore, and Rajasthan at ₹2,274.37 crore
- “This signifies that this policy has smoothly transitioned from MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) into the Viksit Bharat G-RAM G,” Mr. Chauhan said.
- The VB-G RAM G Act came into effect on July 1, 2026.
- Work under the scheme will begin with the preparation of a Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan (VGPP).
- According to a draft framework for the VGPP released by the Ministry, the planning process will begin with the preparation of a comprehensive inventory of all assets and facilities in a gram panchayat, including those created under various Central and State schemes.
- This inventory will be mapped using both geospatial and non-spatial data available on platforms, including Yuktdhara and PM Gati Shakti.
- Yuktdhara is a geographic information system (GIS)-based planning portal developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- PM Gati Shakti is a national master plan that brings together over 16 Ministries on a single digital platform for integrated planning and the timely execution of infrastructure projects.
- Based on this database, development gaps are to be identified through a GIS-enabled assessment carried out primarily on the Yuktdhara planning portal.
- Taking into account “identified gaps, local priorities, demand for works and the recommendations of ward sabhas and the Gram Sabha”, the gram panchayat is to prepare a draft VGPP.
- States are now expected to foot 40% of the bill of centrally designed programmes.
