Rajasthan’s rural employment scheme gets a major upgrade with new benefits
Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has announced a major change to the state’s rural employment scheme. The long-standing MNREGA programme will now be called Vidyut Bharat Gram Yojana (VB Gramg). Officials claim the renamed initiative will offer expanded benefits and greater transparency for rural workers.
The new scheme increases the employment guarantee from 100 to 125 days per year. Alongside wages, it will also provide pension coverage and health insurance for registered labourers. The government has set aside an estimated budget of Rs 17,000 crore to fund the programme.
Technology will play a key role in ensuring fair distribution of benefits. Authorities have promised a transparent system to prevent leaks and ensure payments reach the intended recipients. However, the state has not yet disclosed which officials will oversee the scheme’s administration. Chief Minister Sharma defended the changes and accused the opposition Congress party of spreading false claims about the initiative. He stated that the renaming reflects the programme’s updated focus on rural development and modern employment needs.
VB Gramg aims to support a large number of rural labourers across Rajasthan. With extended work guarantees and added social security, the scheme marks a shift from the previous MNREGA structure. The government insists the revamped programme will deliver clearer outcomes through tech-driven oversight.
