Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday, 5 July, released the first instalment of ₹25,863 crore to states for the implementation of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin).
The release was made during a video conference with Rural Development Ministers of states and Union Territories, where Chouhan reviewed the initial implementation of the scheme.
According to the Ministry of Rural Development, VB-G-RAM-G has been rolled out across the country from 1 July 2026 after the transition from MGNREGA.
Chouhan said the government had resolved to implement the scheme nationwide without disruption from 1 July and that the transition from MGNREGA to VB-G-RAM-G had been smooth.
He said no technical or operational issues had been reported so far.
The minister said the objective of the scheme is to ensure dignified employment, timely wage payments and the creation of durable rural assets for rural workers.
According to the ministry, Chouhan said MGNREGA had taken nearly three years to be implemented across the country, while VB-G-RAM-G has been rolled out nationwide in a single day.
Reviewing the initial progress, he said work had started in a large number of Gram Panchayats during the first week and employment had been provided to lakhs of rural workers.
Chouhan appreciated Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Rajasthan for generating a large number of employment opportunities on the first day of implementation.
He urged Odisha and West Bengal to start works in the remaining Gram Panchayats at the earliest. Jharkhand was asked to notify the scheme and make the required budgetary provisions.
States where RBI accounts or other formalities are still pending were also asked to complete the process within a fixed timeline.
The minister said wage rates under VB-G-RAM-G have been increased by around 10% on average. No state will now have a wage rate below ₹300 per day.
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Chouhan said the first instalment of ₹25,863 crore has been released to ensure that states have adequate funds and wages can be paid within 15 days.
He asked state governments to release their matching share on time so that wage payments are not delayed.
The minister said there would be no shortage of funds for effective implementation of VB-G-RAM-G. The first instalment has been released based on demand received from the states.
He also said Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats should select development works according to local needs to ensure inclusive and participatory rural development.
Chouhan emphasised the use of Face Authentication, geo-tagging and other technology-based measures to ensure transparency and accountability under the scheme.
He said there is no place for irregularity or fraud and that the government is committed to transparency, credibility and creation of quality assets.
The ministry has also deployed Area Officers, led by officers of Joint Secretary rank, to provide continuous support to states.
These officers will coordinate regularly with states and help resolve implementation-related issues quickly.
Chouhan said timely wage payment is a shared responsibility of the Centre and state governments. He said the Centre has fulfilled its responsibility by releasing the first instalment on time and states are expected to release their share promptly.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Rural Development Chandrasekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State Kamlesh Paswan, Rural Development Ministers of states and Union Territories, Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal and senior officials from the ministry and state governments.
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