Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on January 9 termed the VBG RAMG Act a significant policy shift aimed at boosting rural livelihoods, while taking a swipe at the opposition for continuing protests even after Parliament cleared the legislation.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP’s state office, Saha said the Bill had undergone detailed discussions in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Despite this, he claimed, efforts were now being made to “mislead people” through protests outside Parliament. “It is surprising that even after the Bill has been passed, the opposition is continuing with the same protests outside,” he said.
The chief minister said the new law was framed after closely examining the shortcomings of previous rural employment schemes. Tracing the evolution of employment guarantee programmes, he said earlier experiences eventually led to MNREGA, which provided a nationwide legal framework but suffered from several gaps in implementation.
According to Saha, the VBG RAMG Act is meant to replace MNREGA with a revamped structure that offers higher employment guarantees, assured funding and a stronger focus on creating long-lasting assets. “Earlier, work was available but the assets lacked durability,” he said, adding that reforms were needed to improve overall ease of living and economic activity in rural areas.
He said the Act raises the guaranteed employment period from 100 to 125 days and brings in stricter accountability mechanisms. The Centre, he added, has committed over Rs 95,000 crore for the scheme, with a focus on timely wage payments and increased decentralisation through Gram Sabhas.
Calling the legislation a “historic step”, Saha credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for prioritising rural development. He stressed that development should not remain limited to urban centres and must reach villages to ensure balanced socio-economic growth.
The chief minister also said the law places special emphasis on water conservation, asset creation, livelihood opportunities, rural infrastructure and climate change mitigation, marking what he described as a major change in India’s approach to rural employment and development.