Scheme replacing MNREGA not in Himachal's interest, will take up issue with central govt: CM Sukhu

Shimla, Jul 8 (PTI) Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Wednesday that the discontinuation of MNREGA and the implementation of the VB-G-RAM-G scheme are not in the state's interests, and the issue will be taken up with the central government. He said under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), the central government provided 100 per cent funding, whereas under the new scheme, the State Government is required to bear 10 per cent of the expenditure. This, he said, would place an additional financial burden on the State's 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, replacing the two-decade-old MGNREGA. It guarantees 125 days of unskilled manual wage employment annually per eligible rural household to boost income security and infrastructure. He said this while presiding over a departmental review meeting of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department here. The chief minister said vacant posts in the department are being filled on a priority basis to enhance administrative efficiency, adding that more recruitment would be undertaken in the coming period. "The state government will provide Rs 30 crore to complete the ongoing construction of Panchayat Ghars across the state," he said. Sukhu directed that additional funds be provided for the completion of the District Panchayat Resource Centre at Una. Highlighting the government's commitment to empowering rural women, the chief minister said financial assistance is being extended to Self Help Groups (SHGs) to strengthen their livelihoods. He said 310 SHGs have already received credit assistance amounting to Rs 65.56 lakh. "To provide better marketing opportunities for SHG products, a Himachal Hat is under construction in Shimla, while showrooms are also being established at Pandoh and Kullu. A similar showroom is already operational in Dharamshala," he said. The chief minister said food vans have been provided to SHGs to promote their enterprises and more such vehicles will be distributed in the future. Reviewing the progress of various departmental schemes, the chief minister told officers to expedite their implementation to ensure that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries promptly. He also instructed the Secretary of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, to integrate all the department's flagship schemes with the chief minister's Dashboard for effective online monitoring. PTI COR ASD ASD ASD