Agartala, Feb 11 (NationPress) Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on Wednesday that Rs 10 lakh crore will be allocated for rural India over the next decade through the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G).

Speaking at a conference in Agartala, Tripura, the Minister emphasized that this initiative presents a thorough strategy for establishing a Viksit Bharat and aims to benefit all segments of society.

Chouhan noted that a significant feature of the program includes a guarantee of 125 days of employment, an increase from the previous provision of 100 days.

For this rural initiative, Rs 1,51,282 crore has been earmarked, with an additional Rs 55,000 crore being allocated through the Finance Commission, resulting in a total of over Rs 2 lakh crore within five years.

The Minister further stated that Rs 10 lakh crore will be invested in rural areas under the VB–G RAM G program over the next five years.

Highlighting the reach of the initiative, Chouhan mentioned that there are 2.86 crore Gram Panchayats nationwide, each set to receive between Rs 1.50 crore and Rs 2.75 crore over the next five years.

In contrasting current expenditures with those of previous administrations, he pointed out that the UPA government allocated Rs 2.13 lakh crore for rural job schemes over ten years, while the NDA government has invested Rs 8.54 lakh crore in the past decade.

Under the VB–G RAM G scheme, provisions are included to ensure that beneficiaries receive an unemployment allowance if work is not provided upon request.

Moreover, workers will be entitled to receive delayed wage payments along with interest.

The administrative budget for the scheme has been raised from six percent to nine percent, ensuring that there are no salary-related challenges for Panchayat secretaries, employment assistants, clerical, and technical personnel.

Chouhan criticized the previous Left and Congress governments for their lack of rural development in Tripura, stating that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), permanent homes are being constructed to ensure that no impoverished family lives in a kutcha house.

Addressing criticisms of the VB–G RAM G scheme, he asserted that misleading narratives were being spread, emphasizing that tribal and Scheduled Caste communities, along with other economically disadvantaged groups, will benefit significantly.

During the event, the Union Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation for 179 rural development projects in Tripura, which collectively represent an investment of Rs 546.79 crore.

Tripura's Chief Minister Manik Saha, Panchayat Minister Kishor Barman, and Rural Development Department Secretary Abhishek Singh were also present at the event.