A high-level inter-Ministerial consultation on the Draft Convergence Framework under the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB–G RAM G Act, 2025, was held in New Delhi on Wednesday, 24 June, chaired by Rohit Kansal, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Rural Development. Representatives and nodal officers from 18 Ministries and Departments of the Union government participated, as the Centre accelerates preparations for the Act's scheduled commencement on 1 July.

What the Convergence Framework Proposes

At the heart of the framework is the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan (VGPP), the primary planning instrument at the Gram Panchayat level. The VGPP is prepared through community participation and approved by the Gram Sabha, integrating local development needs with resources available under various Central and state schemes.

The framework operationalises a 'Single Plan – Multi Funding' model, enabling different government schemes to work toward common rural development outcomes while retaining their individual mandates and funding structures. This bottom-up architecture ensures that development priorities identified at the Gram Sabha level are aggregated through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and aligned with sectoral programmes across Ministries.

318 Permissible Works Notified for July 1 Rollout

To enable the scheme's launch on schedule, the Department of Rural Development has notified an interim list of 318 permissible works spanning natural resource management, irrigation, rural connectivity, community infrastructure, livelihood-supporting assets, climate resilience, and disaster preparedness. Participants at the meeting noted that the breadth of permissible works opens substantial convergence opportunities across sectors and schemes.

The Act organises rural development interventions under four thematic focus areas: Water Security; Core Rural Infrastructure; Rural Livelihoods; and Special Works for Mitigation of Extreme Weather Events.

What the Rural Development Secretary Said

Rohit Kansal emphasised that convergence is a core pillar of the VB–G RAM G Act and is essential for addressing interconnected rural challenges — including water security, livelihoods, infrastructure, climate resilience, and local economic development. He stressed that the 'Single Plan – Multi Funding' approach allows multiple schemes to converge on shared outcomes without dismantling their individual funding structures.

Key Discussions and Next Steps

The meeting covered strengthening technical and financial convergence, identifying schemes suitable for alignment, enhancing digital interoperability, and establishing institutional mechanisms for coordinated implementation and monitoring. Participating Ministries and Departments shared observations and suggestions on the Draft Framework, which the Department of Rural Development presented during the session.

This consultation forms part of a broader preparatory push ahead of the 1 July commencement date. With the framework now reviewed across 18 departments, the focus shifts to finalising implementation guidelines and activating Gram Sabha-level planning processes in time for the rollout.