New Delhi, 05 July (H.S.): Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday released the first installment of ₹25,863 crore to all states for the smooth implementation of the Viksit Bharat: Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Rural) (VB–G RAM G) scheme.

The Minister reviewed the implementation of the scheme through a video conference with Rural Development Ministers of all states and Union Territories. The primary objective of the scheme is to ensure that workers receive their wages within 15 days.

According to the Ministry of Rural Development, the meeting confirmed that the transition from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to the new VB–G RAM G scheme, which came into effect across the country on July 1 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been seamless and successful.

Under the scheme, wage rates have been increased by an average of nearly 10 percent. The government has also ensured that the minimum daily wage in every state will now be no less than ₹300. Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand have been directed to complete the remaining procedural formalities at the earliest.

The Minister made it clear that no fraud or irregularities will be tolerated under the scheme. To ensure complete transparency and accountability, the government is mandating the full implementation of several technological measures, including facial authentication, geo-tagging, and the deployment of field-level officials.

The high-level review meeting was attended virtually by Minister of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State Kamlesh Paswan, Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal, Joint Secretary Rohini R. Bhajibakare, along with Rural Development Ministers and senior officials from various states.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar