Bhubaneswar: Odisha on Thursday rolled out the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grameen), or VB-G RAM G, across all district headquarters, replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), officials said.
The launch events were held in the presence of Members of Parliament, MLAs, district collectors, gram panchayat representatives and members of self-help groups (SHGs).
In a post on X, the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department described the statewide rollout as a major step towards promoting inclusive rural development and strengthening grassroots governance. The department said the programme seeks to improve service delivery, enhance beneficiary outreach and encourage community participation so that welfare schemes reach every eligible rural household.
Ahead of the launch, the Panchayati Raj Department had, on June 29, directed all district collectors to ensure the participation of key stakeholders in the formal inauguration of the scheme.
As part of the launch, exhibitions showcasing proposed works under the new programme and the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan (VGPP) were organised. Posters, banners and information panels highlighting the scheme’s objectives, provisions and benefits were also displayed for public awareness.
Officials said the daily wage under the scheme has been fixed at Rs 352 in Odisha, higher than the revised national average of Rs 327.40. The Odisha Cabinet has already approved an allocation of Rs 5,575 crore for implementation of the programme.
Under the provisions of the VB-G RAM G Act, the state government may notify a combined “no work” period of up to 60 days during peak sowing and harvesting seasons to address labour shortages in agriculture. Beneficiaries, however, will continue to receive a guarantee of 125 days of employment during the remaining part of the year, officials added.
