Agartala: The new VB-GRAMG Act is not just an administrative change, but an attempt to open new horizons of welfare in the lives of the people.
This was informed by Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath today while participating in an important discussion meeting held at the premises of Mohanpur Block. The meeting was attended by public representatives from all the panchayats of the block area, workers associated with the erstwhile MGNREGA, officials of various line departments, and BDOs. During the meeting, an in-depth discussion was held on the VB-GRAMG Act.
The Agriculture Minister said that the main goal is to ensure the trust and participation of the people through proper publicity and dissemination. He stated that the new law is for the welfare of the people, and its path lies with the people.
He said that since 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been leading the country.
“Before 2014, during the previous 10 years, MNREGA existed with a total budget allocation of Rs 2 lakh 13 thousand crore. When PM Modi came to power, from 2015 to 2025, the allocation increased to Rs 7 lakh 80 thousand crore. The Act existed earlier as well, so why was the budget so low then? PM Modi has always stressed development of villages, farmers, and the poor. Every year there is a budget, and within it, a separate allocation for MNREGA under the RD Department. Before 2014, the highest annual MNREGA budget was Rs 33 thousand crore, whereas during PM Modi’s tenure it reached Rs 86 thousand crore. Now you can understand the reality,” said the Agriculture Minister.
The Minister said that the main aim of MNREGA was the creation of assets.
“In the last seven years, our state has created 8 lakh 10 thousand assets, whereas in the seven years before 2018, the previous government created 6 lakh 67 thousand assets. Transparency in wage payment is essential. In the last seven years, Rs 5,332 crore has been paid as wages, while in the seven years before 2018, Rs 4,240 crore was paid. There are 6 lakh 56 thousand job cards in our state, with 10 lakh 20 thousand workers. The number of mandays has increased from 100 to 125 days. VB-GRAMG places emphasis on water conservation, water security, asset creation, livelihood generation, rural infrastructure, and climate change mitigation,” said the Minister.
The Minister alleged that large-scale corruption occurred under MNREGA during the Left Front regime.
“Due to VB-GRAMG, there will be complete transparency. Earlier, workers often faced delays in receiving wages. Under the reformed system, wages are now directly transferred to workers’ bank accounts, ensuring transparency and timely payments,” he added.
