Varanasi: When VB-G Ram G Act was introduced in Parliament, Opposition had to withdraw its objections after understanding the objectives, said deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya at Panch Sammelan, organised by Union ministry of rural development, at the Rudraksh International Convention Centre, on Thursday. The conference brought together around 500 gram pradhans from UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand to familiarising them with the provisions and objectives of VB-G Ram G (Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025).Maurya said said the conference reflected govt’s commitment to strengthening rural governance. He alleged that funds under MGNREGA scheme were often misused, while the new initiative focuses on healthcare, livelihoods and education, integrating PM Gati Shakti to avoid duplication of development work.Maurya said unprecedented number of PM houses were constructed and foodgrain distribution schemes ensured no one slept hungry, while Ayushman Bharat guaranteed access to healthcare.He announced UP was preparing to launch the Women Entrepreneur Credit Card Scheme. Maurya also announced that group-based factories would be established in villages with financial assistance of Rs 30 lakh, while the administrative component had been increased from 6% to 9%. Union minister of state for rural development Kamlesh Paswan said VB-G Ram G Act provides a roadmap for rural development over next 25 years.Paswan urged emphasised need to create markets for products made by self-help groups and organise regular Saras Melas and 23 crore bank accounts were opened.Rural development commissioner G S Priyadarshi said the new framework increases employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days.Joint secretary, ministry of rural development, Rohini R G, said more than 2 crore jobs had been created in past two weeks.Those present included minister of state for MSME Hansraj Vishwakarma, district panchayat president Poonam Maurya, MLC Rai Dharmendra Singh, MLAs Saurabh Srivastava and Tribhuvan Ram, district magistrate Satyendra Kumar and CDO Prakhar Kumar.
