Shillong, June 30: Cabinet approved the adoption of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-GRAM G) in Meghalaya, which replaces MGNREGS with an expanded vision for rural development.
The new framework increases guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days and significantly broadens the scope of permissible works. Projects such as rural roads, Anganwadi centres, school buildings, livelihood initiatives, and environmental conservation can now be taken up, creating greater opportunities for our rural communities, chief minister Conrad Sangma told reporters on Wednesday.
For the next nine months, Meghalaya has received a normative allocation of Rs 1,100 crore under the new programme. While we welcome these reforms, we have also raised concerns regarding the cap on funding beyond the normative allocation. Meghalaya has consistently demonstrated its ability to effectively utilise higher allocations, and we will continue engaging with the Government of India to ensure that performing states are supported and rewarded for their capacity to deliver more for the people.
This is an important step towards creating stronger livelihoods, better rural
