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New avatar of MGNREGA scheme: As Centre orders mandatory gram sabha on Dec 26, Punjab yet to make a decision

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.

3 min readChandigarhDec 23, 2025 04:19 PM IST

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann defended a probe into 328 missing ‘saroops’ of the Guru Granth Sahib, calling it the government’s legal duty, as the SGPC accused him of interference. (File)

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.

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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.

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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.”

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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