Ally TDP’s first response to new rural employment Bill G Ram G: ‘Concerning… will put burden on state’
Andhra Pradesh’s finance minister says yet go to through details of scheme but state govt will support and implement it
the Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (VB-G RAM G), which seeks to repeal MGNREGA, by a voice vote. (File Photo) With the Centre’s Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G Ram G) Bill, 2025, likely to put a higher financial burden on the States’ exchequer with its provision to share funding of the scheme, Andhra Pradesh’s finance minister has said they will “support and implement it”, though the sharing of funding is “concerning” and “would put a burden on the state”.
The BJP and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) are allies at the Centre and in the state.
When The Indian Express pointed out the funding pattern of the new scheme, Andhra’s Finance, Planning, and Legislative Affairs Minister Payyavula Keshav said the government will study the provisions of the Bill, and that it will support and implement it. “Definitely, the funding sharing is concerning. It would put a lot of burden on the state if we have to divert a huge amount of funds as our share to fund the scheme. We have not gone through the full details of the scheme yet,” Keshav said.
Finance Department officials said that while this is cause for concern for a cash-strapped state like Andhra Pradesh, other provisions like a guarantee of employment for 125 days in a financial year, weekly wage payments, and a break during the peak agriculture season that would make more workers available for the farm sector are encouraging.
Unlike the MGNREGS, where the Centre is responsible for paying the entire wage bill, states will have to share the burden of the wage payment under the VB-G Ram G.
“For the purposes of this Act, the fund-sharing pattern between the Centre and the state governments shall be 90:10 for the Northeastern States, Himalayan states, and Union Territories (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir), and 60:40 for all other states and Union territories with legislature,” states Section 22 (2) of the Bill.
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