Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission-Gramin (VB-GRAM G)

Source: The Statesman (03-07-2026)

Why in News?

The Union Government launched the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission-Gramin (VB-GRAM G), a revamped rural employment programme aimed at expanding livelihood opportunities and strengthening rural infrastructure.

About VB-GRAM G

• Launched by: Ministry of Rural Development.
• Objective: Enhance rural employment, livelihood security and sustainable asset creation while promoting rural development.
• Financial Outlay: ₹7.5 lakh crore over the next five years.
• Coverage: Implemented nationwide from 1 July 2026.

Key Features

• Provides 125 days of guaranteed wage employment to eligible rural households.
• Minimum wage: Not less than ₹300 per day.
• Focuses on:
• Rural employment generation.
• Sustainable livelihood creation.
• Natural resource management.
• Rural infrastructure development.
• Beneficiaries receive VB-GRAM G cards for programme implementation.

Launch Highlights

• On the first day, employment was provided to over 5 lakh workers at more than 50,000 worksites across the country.
• The national launch was held at Mukkavaripalle, Tirupati district (Andhra Pradesh).
• Foundation stone laid for a farm pond under the programme.
• Plantation of timber species such as Teak, Arjun (Maddi), Neem and Eucalyptus was undertaken to promote green rural assets.

Evolution of Rural Employment Programmes

Government's Key Claims

• Nationwide rollout completed in one day, unlike the phased expansion of MGNREGA.
• ₹8.63 lakh crore spent on MGNREGA during the last ten years.
• An additional ₹7.5 lakh crore proposed under VB-GRAM G over the next five years.

Complementary Rural Development Initiatives

• Promotion of wood banks and timber plantations to enhance Panchayat revenues.
• Demonstration of the Magic Drain model for decentralized wastewater management.
• Emphasis on environmental conservation, groundwater recharge and sustainable rural infrastructure.

Significance

• Strengthens rural livelihood security.
• Enhances wage employment in rural areas.

Supports creation of productive community assets.

• Promotes natural resource conservation and climate-resilient rural development.
• Contributes to poverty reduction and inclusive rural growth.

Challenges

• Ensuring timely wage payments.
• Maintaining transparency and accountability.
• Preventing delays in project execution.
• Creating durable and productive assets.
• Effective monitoring and social audits.

Way Forward

• Ensure timely fund release and wage payments.
• Strengthen digital monitoring and geo-tagging of assets.
• Improve convergence with agriculture, watershed development and rural infrastructure schemes.
• Expand skill development and livelihood diversification alongside wage employment.
• Promote community participation and regular social audits.

Conclusion

VB-GRAM G seeks to strengthen India's rural employment architecture by combining wage employment with sustainable asset creation, livelihood enhancement and environmental conservation. Effective implementation will be critical to improving rural incomes and supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat.