Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan revealed a five-year plan to invest Rs 10 lakh crore in rural India through the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G). This initiative aims to develop a comprehensive roadmap for a progressive India. Under this program, 125 days of guaranteed employment will be provided, up from the previous 100 days.
Chouhan highlighted that Rs 1,51,282 crore has been earmarked for this rural development scheme, with an additional Rs 55,000 crore to be allocated through the Finance Commission, totaling over Rs 2 lakh crore annually. Over the next five years, a significant amount of Rs 10 lakh crore will be spent in rural areas across the country under the VB–G RAM G program. Each of the 2.86 crore Gram Panchayats in India is set to receive between Rs 1.50 crore and Rs 2.75 crore during this period.
Comparing past governments, Chouhan noted that the NDA government has allocated Rs 8.54 lakh crore for rural job works in the last decade, a substantial increase from the UPA government’s Rs 2.13 lakh crore expenditure. The VB–G RAM G scheme includes provisions for unemployment allowance if employment demands are unmet and ensures timely wage payments with interest for any delays. Administrative expenses have been raised to nine percent to address salary-related concerns for Panchayat staff.
