SHILLONG, June 30: The State Cabinet has approved the adoption of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G), a new rural employment and development programme that replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) with an expanded framework for rural development.
For the next nine months, Meghalaya has been allotted a normative allocation of Rs 1,100 crore under the new programme. The new programme increases the guaranteed number of employment days from 100 to 125 annually and widens the range of works that can be undertaken under the scheme.
Under VB-G RAM G, projects such as rural roads, Anganwadi centres, school buildings, livelihood promotion initiatives and environmental conservation activities will be eligible for implementation, creating additional employment opportunities and improving rural infrastructure across the state.Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the expanded scope of permissible works is expected to provide greater flexibility to local communities while addressing developmental needs in rural areas.
The government expressed confidence that the adoption of VB-G RAM G will strengthen rural livelihoods, generate additional employment opportunities and accelerate the pace of development in villages across the state.
