The Telangana government has informed the Union government that it will take a final decision on joining the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar & Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) only after the State Cabinet meeting scheduled for July 2. The state also reiterated its objections to the proposed programme during a meeting convened by the Union Ministry of Rural Development ahead of the national rollout.
According to Telangana Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka, the state has requested the Centre to continue the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) as a statutory, rights-based programme instead of replacing it with the new VB-G RAM G framework.
Telangana Informs Centre About July 2 Cabinet Decision
During the meeting with Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Seethakka submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting Telangana’s concerns over the proposed legislation. She stated that the state Cabinet will discuss the matter on July 2 before taking a final decision and communicating its stand to the Centre.
The preparedness status shared during the meeting also indicates that Telangana’s Scheme Notification is currently marked as “Under Process”. The preparedness document further shows that while most implementation requirements have been completed, the official scheme notification has not yet been issued by the state, and the Peak Season Notification also remains under process.
State Raises Concerns Over Proposed Law
The Telangana government argued that the proposed VB-G RAM G legislation could increase the financial burden on states and weaken the legal employment guarantee available to rural workers. The memorandum also states that the proposed framework may reduce the powers of Gram Panchayats and limit the role of state governments in planning, implementation, fund allocation and monitoring.
Seethakka said the state government has already examined the proposal through a Cabinet sub-committee, which met twice before submitting its recommendations.
Background
The Centre is preparing to roll out the VB-G RAM G framework from July 1. However, Telangana has maintained that it will decide whether to adopt the new system only after the Cabinet deliberates on the matter. Until then, the state’s official notification remains under process.
Outlook
All eyes are now on the Telangana Cabinet meeting on July 2, where the government is expected to take a final decision on the implementation of the VB-G RAM G framework. The outcome will determine whether the state joins the new programme or continues to press for the existing MGNREGS model.
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