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
Congress Fields Anurag Sharma for Lone Rajya Sabha Seat in Himachal Pradesh The Indian National Congress has officially nominated Anurag Sharma as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha election from Himachal Pradesh, which is set to be held on March 16. Sharma, currently serving as the president of the Kangra District Congress Committee, submitted his nomination papers on March 5, 2026. His candidacy is viewed as a strategic move by the party to ensure regional representation, particularly in the politically significant Kangra district. Sharma, who hails from Kangra, is considered a close associate of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. This connection is seen as a key factor in his selection, given the district’s historical importance and its role as a stronghold for the Congress party. The Kangra district, which accounts for the maximum number of Assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh—15—has been a critical area for the party’s electoral success. In the 2022 Assembly elections, the Congress secured 10 out of these 15 seats, yet only two of the elected legislators were appointed to the state Cabinet. This discrepancy has raised questions about the party’s ability to translate its electoral dominance into broader political influence. The decision to field Sharma reflects the Congress’s effort to balance regional representation and consolidate its support base in the district. Kangra’s political significance is further underscored by its role as a hub for both cultural and economic activity in the state. The party’s choice of Sharma is also seen as a way to address the gap between its electoral performance and its ability to secure key leadership positions within the state government.#anurag_sharma #kangra_district_congress_committee #sukhvinder_singh_sukhu #rajya_sabha_election #himachal_pradesh
