3 min readChandigarhDec 23, 2025 02:29 PM IST
First published on: Dec 23, 2025 at 02:29 PM IST
Punjab government is in a dilemma on whether to defy Centre’s orders asking the states to organise gram sabhas in every gram panchayats to educate people on the new avatar of MGNREGA scheme, VB-G Ram G on December 26 or let the officers handle it, as the state government is organising special Vidhan Sabha session on December 30 to pass a resolution against the new scheme.
The Centre has written to Chief Secretaries of all states to organise gram sabhas on December 26. A letter from the Ministry of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj to the Chief Secretaries clearly states that the entire proceedings of the Gram Sabha must be uploaded in real-time. Geo-tagged photos and videos of the proceedings are mandatory. Active participation of villagers, especially women, labourers, and Scheduled Caste families, is also mandated.
Punjab has made it clear that it would oppose the scheme. The government is wondering if gram sabhas should be organised. “When we have called a session, we should not organise the gram sabhas. When we will be bringing a resolution against it on December 30, how can gram sabhas be organised?” said a government functionary.
He added that they were preparing to spend Rs 2,000 crore on the scheme in Punjab as works worth Rs 1,000 crore were already completed and jobs were given. “Next year, when this scheme comes into effect, the states will have to match a grant of 40 per cent with the Centre paying 60 per cent. Earlier, employment guarantee was a right. Now, it would not be a right. The states would not be able to fund it. How will Punjab pay Rs 800 crore if an amount of Rs 2000 crore is to be spent?” He asked.
Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that he has called a meeting of officials concerned on Tuesday to understand the issue, “We will take a call tomorrow. I have called all the officers to understand the situation. Otherwise, we are organising a special session of Vidhan Sabha on December 30 to oppose it.”
CM Bhagwant Mann, who was in Sangrur on Monday, said, “Will the change in name of a scheme make it better? Congress is just caught up in the name. They are not able to understand what has happened in the scheme. The provisions of the scheme have been changed. They should protest against the change in the provisions. The Centre has burdened the states instead of funding the scheme themselves. We will bring a resolution in Vidhan Sabha.”
The Centre has written to Chief Secretaries of all states to organise gram sabhas on December 26. (File) 
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