SHILLONG, FEB 2: Community & Rural Development Minister Sosthenes Sohtun has welcomed the transition from Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to the Viksit Bharat‑Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB‑G RAM G) Act, 2025, stating that the state government stands to gain from the new act.
“The overall calculation shows our state doesn’t lose anything. In fact, it gains,” Sohtun told reporters on Monday.
“The state’s contribution to materials has decreased from 25% to 10%, and the increased allocation for 125 days will benefit job card holders and unskilled workers,” he said.
The new act also includes rural schools, potentially increasing the budget allocation from 1200-1500 to 2000.
“This will benefit the people of our state, especially poor families, job card holders, and unskilled labor,” Sohtun added.
Asked, Sohtun emphasized that the government accepts the new act as it benefits the state’s people. “Our government welcomes this act, focusing on the benefits for our people,” he said
Addressing concerns on misappropriation, Sohtun said, “The new act promotes transparency, allowing VECs and job card holders to monitor work and benefits.”
He directed officials to streamline processes to prevent fund misuse.
“…as a minister I will direct all the concerned blocks, the BDOs, to streamline all the works in such a way that there is no misappropriation of all the schemes that have been allotted to them.”
On internet connectivity issues for eKYC, Sohtun acknowledged the problem and assured efforts to improve network infrastructure.
“I will address this with the Chief Minister and gather data from VECs to resolve the issue,” he said.
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