Ministers briefed to counter Congress over VB-G RAM G; ministry sends detailed report
The government is preparing to defend its new rural employment scheme, VB-G RAM G, against Congress protests. Ministers have been briefed on its advantages, including 125 guaranteed workdays and durable asset creation, aiming to boost local livelihoods and curb migration. Normative funding ensures predictable allocations, contrasting with previous models.
File photo: Union rural development minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
NEW DELHI: With Congress set to launch a protest against the VB-G RAM G scheme, which replaced the UPA-era MGNREGA, the rural development ministry has sent a detailed report on the new scheme to all central ministers which they can refer to in public meetings to counter the opposition.TOI has learnt that in the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, rural development minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had briefed ministers about the key features of VB-G RAM G and how it’s better than that of previous rural employment guarantee programme. PM Narendra Modi had also asked ministers to be fully conversant with the provisions of the new scheme.Ministers will highlight the increase of guaranteed 125 days employment under the new scheme compared to the provision of earlier 100 days and creation of durable assets beyond a narrow emphasis on wage expenditure.
They will also highlight how the scheme will create stronger local livelihood opportunities to help mitigate distress-driven migration.To counter the opposition charge, ministers have been informed that under normative funding, the central govt allocates funds to states based on predefined norms, ensuring predictability, fiscal discipline, and better budgetary planning. In contrast, demand-driven models often lead to uncertain allocations and fiscal misalignment.