West Bengal's Development Schemes: Resumption of Funding Under VB-G RAM G
The Centre has agreed to resume funding for key schemes in West Bengal after the BJP's victory in the state's assembly elections. This decision is significant as it will impact the lives of millions of people in the state who were affected by the funding halt. The Centre had stopped releasing funds to West Bengal under the MGNREGS and PMAY-G schemes, with a total outstanding amount of Rs 5,596 crore.
- •TAGS: rural-development, west-bengal, nrega, pmay-g, pmgsy, vb-g-ram-g SOURCE: The Indian Express
CATEGORY: national TAGS: rural-development, west-bengal, nrega, pmay-g, pmgsy, vb-g-ram-g SOURCE: The Indian Express
The West Bengal Assembly elections have paved the way for the resumption of funding under key central schemes, which had been stalled for years due to a prolonged standoff between the NDA government at the Centre and the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in the state. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who also holds Rural Development portfolio, said on Monday that all the development work including the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 will be implemented in the state at a faster pace.
What is VB-G RAM G?
The Centre enacted the VB-G RAM G law last year replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005. The scheme aims to provide employment guarantee to rural households and promote rural development. The Centre had stopped the release of funds to West Bengal with effect from March 9, 2022 "due to non-compliance of directives of central government", by invoking Section 27 of the MGNREGA, 2005. Since then, no work under the NREGS has happened in the state.
Key Provisions / Legal Framework
- ▸The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (MGNREGA) guarantees 100 days of employment to rural households.
- ▸The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act 2025 (VB-G RAM G) replaces MGNREGA and aims to provide employment guarantee to rural households.
- ▸The Centre had stopped the release of funds to West Bengal under MGNREGA due to non-compliance of directives.
The Numbers That Matter
- ▸West Bengal was among the top states — 51 to 80 lakh families in the state availed it annually between 2014-15 and 2021-22.
- ▸The total spending under the MGNREGS in West Bengal was well over Rs 10,000 crore per annum (Rs 10,027 crore in 2020-21 and Rs 10,907 crore in 2021-22).
- ▸A total amount of Rs 13,965.91 crore was pending as central share for two schemes —MGNREGS and PMAY-G.
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The Centre had set a target of 45.69 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) since the scheme launched in 2016. Of these, 34.20 lakh houses have been completed. The Bengal government sources say the state would have got additional 33 lakh houses had the Centre not stopped the release of funds.
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Stakeholders and Their Interests
- ▸The Centre has an interest in ensuring that the funds allocated for the schemes are used for the intended purpose.
- ▸The West Bengal government has an interest in ensuring that the funds are released to implement the development schemes.
- ▸The rural households in West Bengal have an interest in receiving the employment guarantee and benefits under the schemes.
Significance and What Changes Now
The resumption of funding under VB-G RAM G is significant as it will enable the implementation of development schemes in West Bengal. The Centre's decision to release funds will benefit the rural households in the state who were affected by the stoppage of funds. The VB-G RAM G law will provide employment guarantee to rural households and promote rural development.
Way Forward
The Centre and the West Bengal government must work together to ensure that the funds are used for the intended purpose and that the development schemes are implemented effectively. The Centre must also ensure that the funds are released in a timely manner to enable the implementation of the schemes.
CATEGORY: national TAGS: rural-development, west-bengal, nrega, pmay-g, pmgsy, vb-g-ram-g SOURCE: The Indian Express
Concepts Mentioned
Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act 2025
The Viksit Bharat Act is a legislation aimed at guaranteeing employment and livelihood in rural areas. It signifies the government's commitment to rural development. The act allocates funds for skill training programs.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is a law guaranteeing rural employment. It provides a safety net for rural laborers. The act ensures 100 days of wage employment per year.
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