Himachal Pradesh CM Criticizes Replacement of MNREGA, Promises to Address Central Government Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of Himachal Pradesh expressed concerns about the discontinuation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) and the introduction of the VB-G RAM G scheme, stating that the shift is not in the state’s interest. During a departmental review meeting of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department in Shimla on July 8, 2026, Sukhu emphasized that the central government’s decision to replace MNREGA with the new scheme places an undue financial burden on the state. Under MNREGA, the central government provided 100% funding, but the VB-G RAM G requires the state to cover 10% of the expenditure, a move Sukhu argued would strain the state’s already limited resources. The VB-G RAM G (Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin) is a central rural employment scheme that took effect on July 1, 2026, replacing the two-decade-old MNREGA. The new scheme guarantees 125 days of unskilled manual wage employment annually per eligible rural household, aiming to boost income security and infrastructure development. Sukhu highlighted that while the central government’s intent to modernize rural employment programs is commendable, the financial implications for Himachal Pradesh are significant. He stated that the state government will take up the issue with the central authorities to address the funding disparity. During the meeting, Sukhu also outlined measures to strengthen rural development initiatives. He directed that vacant posts in the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department be filled on a priority basis to improve administrative efficiency.#sukhvinder_singh_sukhu #himachal_pradesh #vb_g_ram_g #mnrega #rural_development_panchayati_raj_department
