Tripura will receive Rs 1,040 crore from the Centre under the newly launched Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAM G) during the current financial year, while neighbouring Manipur joined the nationwide rollout of the revamped rural employment programme with district-level launch events across the state on Thursday.
The nationwide launch was led virtually by Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan from Mukkavaripalli village in Andhra Pradesh. In Tripura, Social Welfare Minister Tinku Roy participated in the virtual launch from Rabindra Bhavan, while district administrations across Manipur organised Jan Sammelans and live webcast programmes to mark the rollout.
Tripura to receive Rs 1,040 crore
Roy described the scheme as a major boost to rural development and said it addresses several gaps that, according to him, were not adequately covered under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
He said activities such as land levelling, construction of earthen drains, water conservation and flood protection have been incorporated into the programme, making it more comprehensive in addressing rural infrastructure needs.
Rejecting the opposition's allegation that the BJP-led Centre intended to discontinue MGNREGA, Roy said the new programme would provide greater benefits to rural households. He noted that while Tripura received nearly Rs 1,100 crore under MGNREGA up to the previous financial year, the Centre has now sanctioned Rs 1,040 crore under VB-GRAM G for the remaining nine months of the current financial year.
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The minister also said the daily wage under the new scheme in Tripura has been increased from Rs 240 to Rs 300, which he said would directly improve the livelihoods of poor rural workers.
Manipur joins nationwide rollout
In Manipur, launch programmes were held across Bishnupur, Kakching, Chandel, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Senapati, Tengnoupal, Thoubal, Pherzawl, Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts.
Senior civil and administrative officials, village authorities, Panchayati Raj representatives, Self-Help Groups, job card holders and other stakeholders participated in the events and joined the national launch through a live webcast.
Expanded employment guarantee
Replacing MGNREGA, the VB-GRAM G Act, 2025 increases the statutory employment guarantee from 100 to 125 days of wage employment annually for every eligible rural household.
The programme also focuses on water security, climate resilience, rural infrastructure and livelihood creation while introducing biometric authentication, geotagging of assets, digital monitoring and timely wage payments to enhance transparency and accountability.
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