Shillong: The Meghalaya government has welcomed the transition from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to the newly introduced Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, saying the revised framework will bring financial gains to the state, increase guaranteed employment days, and strengthen safeguards against misuse of funds.
Community & Rural Development Minister Sosthenes Sohtun said the new Act works in Meghalaya’s favour and will enhance transparency at the grassroots level.
Sohtun said the state government welcomes the Act regardless of its name, stressing that the shift to a 90:10 Centre-state funding pattern does not put Meghalaya at a disadvantage. He added, “Despite the change from full central funding of wages, overall our state does not lose anything after accounting for the total financial impact.”
Highlighting a major relief for the state exchequer, the minister said the burden on material costs has been significantly reduced. “Earlier, the state had to bear 25 per cent of material costs, but now it has come down to 10 per cent,” he said, calling it a clear gain over the earlier MGNREGA structure.
Sohtun also pointed to the expansion of guaranteed employment under the new Act. “Earlier, it was 100 days of employment, but it has increased by another 25 days,” he said, adding that the enhanced provision for 125 days would result in higher fund flow and wider coverage. According to him, the increase in workdays will benefit job card holders and unskilled workers.
Sohtun said the new Act strengthens village-level monitoring and accountability. Referring to concerns over misuse, he said the revised framework would promote greater transparency and allow Village Employment Councils to more effectively oversee implementation. He added that job card holders would be better informed about their entitlements and benefits under the scheme.
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The minister said the government is committed to strengthening on-ground implementation and that he would engage with blocks and block development officers (BDOs) to ensure smoother execution. The objective, he said, is to streamline all works to prevent misappropriation of funds while ensuring that the benefits of the new rural employment law reach intended beneficiaries across Meghalaya.
