Need-Based Schemes Will Strengthen Rural India: Manohar Lal Khattar

Ranchi:

A state-level workshop on the Viksit Bharat Employment and Livelihood Guarantee Mission (Rural) was organized at the BJP state office on Tuesday. The workshop was chaired by BJP state president and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi. Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar attended the programme as the chief guest.

Addressing the workshop, Manohar Lal Khattar said that the VBG Ram Ji Act–2025 is not based on demand-driven implementation but on the actual needs of villages. He stated that the Act will ensure holistic rural development and play a crucial role in achieving the goal of Developed India–2047.

Khattar said that under the earlier demand-based system of MGNREGA, unnecessary projects were often created, leading to financial imbalance and wastage of public resources and labour. Weak administrative mechanisms and corruption further reduced the long-term impact of the scheme. The new Act aims to address these shortcomings by approving projects strictly according to local requirements.

He informed that development plans will now be prepared through Developed Gram Panchayat Plans and consolidated at the block, district and state levels. Under the Act, the annual employment guarantee has been increased from 100 days to 125 days. Provisions have also been made for timely wage payments and unemployment allowance in case work is not provided.

Khattar said the projects have been divided into four categories—water security and management, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and climate-resilient works—to promote balanced and sustainable development.

To ensure transparency and curb corruption, the Act includes provisions such as AI-based monitoring, GPS tracking, monitoring committees at the panchayat and state levels, and regular public disclosure of projects. He added that the Centre–State participation has been fixed at a 60:40 ratio, enhancing the accountability of state governments.

Speaking on the occasion, BJP state president Babulal Marandi said that rural development requires strong policy intent and transparent governance. Working President and MP Aditya Sahu described the Act as beneficial for the poor, labourers and farmers and called upon party workers to take its message to the grassroots.

The workshop was also addressed by Regional Organisation General Secretary Nagendra Tripathi and State Organisation General Secretary Karmveer Singh. Party office-bearers welcomed the dignitaries present on the dais.