**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a review meeting on April 18, 2026, to ensure the seamless implementation of MGNREGA and prepare for the rollout of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) Act. Key focus areas included the immediate release of ₹17,744.19 crore for wage payments and the transition to a statutory guarantee of 125 days of employment. States and Union Territories are required to complete preparatory actions in a time-bound manner to meet the objectives of Viksit Bharat @2047.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**MGNREGA Operational Guidelines**
* **Uninterrupted Implementation:** Works must continue seamlessly at the ground level without any interruptions.
* **Work Availability:** States must ensure adequate work is available at the Gram Panchayat level to prevent worker wait times.
* **Timely Execution:** Employment must be provided within the stipulated timeframe following a demand, and wage payments must be processed without delay at all levels.
* **Documentation:** Priority must be given to issuing Job Cards to eligible rural households that are currently not covered.
**Financial Allocations for FY 2026–27**
* **Wage Component:** An initial installment of ₹17,744.19 crore is being released to States and Union Territories for wage payments.
* **Other Components:** Necessary funding is also being provided for the material and administrative components of the program.
* **Fund Utilization:** States are urged to ensure the effective and timely utilization of these funds to maintain liquidity for payments.
**Viksit Bharat – G RAM G Act Transition**
* **Statutory Guarantee:** The new Act provides a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment to rural households, an increase aimed at rural empowerment.
* **Strategic Alignment:** The mission is aligned with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision to create a resilient, self-reliant, and prosperous rural India.
* **Transition Management:** The current period is identified as a critical transition phase requiring the maintenance of MGNREGA while simultaneously preparing for the VB–G RAM G rollout.
**Impact Analysis**
**States and Union Territories**
**Impact**
They are responsible for the dual task of sustaining current employment schemes while preparing for the implementation of the new statutory framework.
**Action Required**
Complete all preparatory actions for VB–G RAM G in a time-bound manner, ensure effective worksite management, and provide feedback to make the new mission transparent and outcome-oriented.
**Rural Households and Workers**
**Impact**
Eligible workers will benefit from increased job security through a 125-day employment guarantee and prioritized Job Card issuance.
**Action Required**
Eligible households not yet covered should seek Job Cards; workers demanding employment must be provided work within stipulated timeframes.
**Gram Panchayats**
**Impact**
Local governance bodies are the primary units responsible for ensuring work availability to prevent unemployment at the ground level.
**Action Required**
Maintain adequate work projects at the local level to ensure no worker is required to wait for employment opportunities.
Key Entities Referenced
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): A national legislation providing a legal guarantee for wage employment in rural areas, for which funds were released to ensure timely wage payments.
Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) Act: A new statutory framework that aims to provide a guarantee of 125 days of wage employment to rural households to strengthen the rural economy.
Ministry of Rural Development: The primary central ministry responsible for reviewing the implementation of national rural employment schemes and overseeing the transition to new initiatives.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan: The Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare who chaired the review meeting with States and Union Territories.
Ministry of Rural Development
Commitment to the smooth implementation of
MGNREGA and ensuring timely
employment to workers
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviews
preparedness of States for Viksit Bharat – G RAM G with
Ministers of Rural Development from States and Union
Territories
Posted On: 18 APR 2026 8:43PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan, today chaired a meeting with Ministers of Rural Development from States and Union Territories
through video conferencing. The meeting reviewed the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National
Rural Employment Guarantee Act and assessed the preparedness of States for the rollout of the Viksit
Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) Act.
During the meeting, the Union Minister Shri Chouhan emphasised that works under Mahatma Gandhi
NREGA must continue in a seamless and uninterrupted manner at the ground level. He underscored that
ensuring timely availability of work to workers and prompt payment of wages remains the highest priority.
States were advised to ensure adequate availability of works at the Gram Panchayat level so that noworker is required to wait for employment. He reiterated that every worker demanding employment must
be provided work within the stipulated timeframe, and wage payments must be ensured without delay at
all levels.
The Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan further stressed the need for effective worksite
management and urged States to prioritise the issuance of Job Cards to eligible rural households not yet
covered. He emphasised that willing households should be provided employment in a time-bound manner,
ensuring that no eligible family is left without access to livelihood opportunities.
In order to ensure the smooth implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, the Union Minister informed
that an amount of ₹17,744.19 crore is being released to States and Union Territories towards the wage
component as the first instalment for the financial year 2026–27. He urged States to ensure timely and
effective utilisation of these funds so that wage payments are made without delay. It was further
highlighted that necessary funds are also being made available under the material and administrative
components.
The Union Minister Shri Chouhan observed that the present period represents a critical transition phase,
wherein it is essential to sustain employment under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA while simultaneously
completing all necessary preparations for the effective implementation of VB–G RAM G Act.
Referring to the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G)
Act, the Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh stated that it seeks to establish a forward-looking,
empowerment-driven rural development framework by providing a statutory guarantee of 125 days of
wage employment to rural households. The programme is aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047
and aims to strengthen the rural economy through enhanced livelihood opportunities, thereby contributing
to the creation of a resilient, self-reliant and prosperous rural Bharat.
The Union Minister urged States to complete all preparatory actions in a time-bound manner to enable
effective implementation of the programme.
In conclusion, the Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan called upon all States and Union
Territories to actively participate and share their suggestions and feedback so as to make VB–G RAM G
more effective, transparent and outcome-oriented.
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