The Union government has released Rs 25,863 crore as the first instalment to all states and Union Territories to implement the “Vikshit Bharat Ji Ram Ji” scheme, described as a guarantee programme for employment and livelihoods. Under this release, Tamil Nadu has been allotted Rs 2,176.84 crore and Puducherry Rs 12.88 crore.
The new scheme replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee programme introduced in 2006, which provided 100 days of work in rural areas with full funding from the Centre. Under the revised framework, the work entitlement has been increased from 100 days to 125 days.
The funding pattern has also been reworked, with the Centre contributing 60% and states required to provide the remaining 40%. The minimum daily wage has been set at Rs 300, and the minister said wages have been raised by up to 10% under the new arrangement.
A Bill to amend the law for the scheme was passed in Parliament during the winter session in December amid strong opposition protests, and later received the President’s assent. As announced by the Centre, the scheme came into force nationwide from July 1.
Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a video conference with rural development ministers of states and UTs, during which the first tranche was released for the July–September period. He said the transition to the new scheme had been smooth with no technical or operational issues reported so far, and urged states to promptly release their share to ensure timely wage payments.
