Centre to launch VB–G-RAM-G in AP

Vijayawada: Marking a major shift in rural employment, Centre will officially launch the Viksit Bharat Rozgar and Aajeevika Guarantee Mission (Grameen) – VB–G RAM G, on Wednesday.

The new scheme designed with a focus on employment generation, creation of durable assets and technology-driven transparency. The national programme will be launched from Mukkavaripalle village in Tirupati district by union minister for rural development Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the presence of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan. VB G Ram G is replacing the previous Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MG NREGA).

Incidentally, MG NREGA was also launched from AP in 2006 by then UPA govt from Ananthapuram district.Andhra Pradesh has received ₹7,700 crore in Central assistance under VB–GRAMG, the second-highest allocation among states. With the State govt’s contribution of ₹5,500 crore, more than ₹13,000 crore will be invested this year for creating productive rural assets. Speaking to media here on Tuesday, chairman of twenty-point programme (Viksit Bharat – Swarna Andhra) Implementation, Lanka Dinakar said that the initiative reflects the vision of Viksit Bharat through sustainable rural development.

The new programme increases guaranteed employment from 100 days to 125 days per rural household annually. The provision of unemployment allowance will continue if work is not provided within 15 days of a worker demanding employment, strengthening livelihood security for rural families.“The scheme also introduces flexibility during peak agricultural seasons. Works under VB–GRAMG can be temporarily suspended for up to 60 days during the farming season to address labour shortages faced by farmers while ensuring rural workers continue to get employment opportunities,” said Dinakar.Under the Centre-State funding model, the programme will follow a 60:40 funding ratio, enabling increased investment in rural infrastructure. The funds will support the creation of water conservation structures, rural roads, irrigation facilities and other community assets to strengthen the rural economy.A key feature of VB–GRAMG is the use of technology to improve accountability and eliminate misuse of funds.

Biometric authentication for attendance and wage payments, GIS-based planning, real-time mobile dashboards and weekly public disclosure of programme details will ensure greater transparency. “The reforms aim to prevent fake beneficiaries, ghost payments and non-productive works, ensuring every rupee spent contributes to meaningful rural development,” said Dinakar.He explained that VB–GRAMG is designed to make rural development more efficient, transparent and outcome-oriented, helping villages become self-reliant and contributing to the twin goals of Viksit Bharat and Swarna Andhra. Dinakar thanked prime minister Narendra Modi for extending significant support to Andhra Pradesh under the scheme.