Centre allocates ₹1.25 lakh crore for Viksit Bharat GRAMG rural development

New Delhi: Centre announced a ₹1.25 lakh crore financial package under Viksit Bharat GRAMG to strengthen rural employment, village development and workers’ welfare across India.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a virtual meeting with State Rural Development Ministers and reviewed preparations for the new framework, which will take effect from July 1, 2026.

He said the transition must remain smooth and no worker should lose employment during the change. The Centre has already allocated ₹30,000 crore under MGNREGA. Additionally, it released an interim allocation of ₹95,692 crore for States and Union Territories.

The minister said the funds would reach nearly 2.80 lakh Gram Panchayats. He added that local bodies should use the money for approved development works and employment generation.

States asked to accelerate Viksit Bharat GRAMG implementation

Chouhan directed States to approve enough works before July 1 to ensure uninterrupted employment and timely wage payments. He also reviewed progress in DBT, e-KYC, SMS-based systems and face authentication.

The minister said 26 States had already made budget provisions under the initiative. However, he urged Jharkhand, Karnataka, Telangana and Mizoram to complete the process quickly.

He appreciated Andhra Pradesh, Mizoram and Puducherry for issuing notifications and asked other States to expedite implementation. Moreover, he directed States to notify agricultural peak seasons and conduct awareness programmes at district and block levels.

Chouhan said Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas would identify and finalise development works. He added that the government would not allow any disruption in MGNREGA employment or wage payments during the transition.

The Centre allocated ₹92,550.17 crore to States and ₹1,291.52 crore to Union Territories. It also earmarked ₹1,850.62 crore for administration and social audits.

The minister invited States to participate in the National Rural Development Conference in New Delhi on June 28 and 29. He expressed confidence that Viksit Bharat GRAMG would strengthen rural India and provide sustainable livelihoods to crores of workers.