VB-G Ram G Yojana to transform rural economy, says AP CM Naidu
Tirupati, July 2 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G Ram G Yojana) would usher in a transformation in villages by improving employment opportunities, rural infrastructure and living standards.
Addressing the national launch of the scheme at Mukkavaripalli village in Tirupati district, Naidu said the programme builds upon the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and represents a major step towards achieving the vision of “Swarna Andhra Pradesh” and “Viksit Bharat.”
He said the scheme’s provision of 125 days of guaranteed employment, along with works such as farm roads, ponds, drainage systems and social security for landless labourers, would significantly improve rural livelihoods.
Naidu said the programme would leverage technology through digital master rolls, Aadhaar-based payments, geo-tagging and real-time monitoring to ensure transparency and prevent irregularities in the execution of development works.
Referring to the implementation of Gram Sabha-led development initiatives in Andhra Pradesh, he said the experience gained in constructing cement concrete roads, goshalas, water tanks, irrigation structures and tribal connectivity projects would help the state effectively implement the new programme and emerge as a national model in rural development.
The Chief Minister also outlined his vision of developing Rayalaseema as a horticulture hub, saying the state aims to mobilise ₹40,000 crore in public investment and ₹60,000 crore in private investment under the Purvodaya programme to strengthen irrigation, road connectivity, warehousing and allied infrastructure.
Naidu said the Centre’s support for projects such as Amaravati, Polavaram, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, data centres and the proposed fighter aircraft project had helped restore Andhra Pradesh’s development trajectory. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for driving the country’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said Andhra Pradesh had secured approvals worth ₹12,845 crore for rural development and credited the Centre for strengthening the Panchayati Raj system in the state. He said Andhra Pradesh had improved its ranking under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) from 24th to first place and described the selection of the state for the national launch of the scheme as a matter of pride.
Union Minister of State for Rural Development Dr. Chandrasekhar Pemmmasani said the new programme not only increases guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days but also provides for unemployment allowance if work is not provided within the stipulated period.
Union Minister of State Kamlesh Paswan said the scheme envisages more than 300 categories of development works, which would strengthen rural infrastructure and contribute to the goal of a developed India.
Earlier, Naidu and Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated farm pond works, planted saplings and reviewed exhibitions showcasing Andhra Pradesh’s rural development initiatives.
TNT KM
