Nagaland: Rural development at the centre of development Prof Jayanta Choudhury, head of the Department of Rural Development and Planning at Nagaland University, emphasized that rural development is central to broader development goals. During a discourse organized by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) in Kohima on March 25, he highlighted how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) rely heavily on improving rural development through inclusive and participatory strategies. The event, part of a discussion on the central scheme “Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)” (VB–G RAM G), aimed to explore its implications for rural employment and livelihoods. The VB–G RAM G, previously known as MGNREGA, is designed to provide 135 days of wage employment per rural household annually. Prof Choudhury noted that the scheme now features a 60:40 funding split between the central and state governments, with North Eastern and Himalayan states receiving 90% central funding. This adjustment aims to address rural employment gaps and support livelihood initiatives. However, he raised concerns about the scheme’s potential to weaken existing safety nets, citing unresolved issues from the previous MGNREGA framework. Key changes from MGNREGA include a shift from demand-driven to supply-driven planning, revised wage and employment day calculations, and greater emphasis on fiscal responsibility and technology-driven monitoring. Prof Choudhury pointed out that many recommendations from past parliamentary committees remain unimplemented, raising questions about the scheme’s effectiveness. He also highlighted the exclusion of rural work during peak agricultural seasons, which could disrupt employment for those reliant on continuous income.#nagaland #press_information_bureau #mgnrega #prof_jayanta_choudhury
