Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan virtually chaired a meeting with Ministers of Rural Development from States and Union Territories to review the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The meeting also assessed the preparedness of States for the rollout of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin).

During the meeting, the Union Minister emphasised that work under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA must continue in a seamless and uninterrupted manner at the ground level. He underscored that ensuring the timely availability of work to workers and the prompt payment of wages remain the highest priority of the Government.

States were advised to ensure adequate availability of works at the Gram Panchayat level so that no worker is required to wait for employment. He reiterated that every worker demanding employment must be provided work within the stipulated time frame, and wage payments must be ensured without delay at all levels.

Mr Chouhan further stressed the need for effective worksite management and urged states to prioritise the issuance of Job Cards to eligible rural households not yet covered. Referring to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), the Union Minister said the programme aims to create a forward-looking, empowerment-driven rural development framework by providing a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment to rural households. He further urged States to complete all preparatory steps in a time-bound manner to ensure effective implementation of the programme.