Rural Development – VB-GRAM G Mission Begins National Rollout from Andhra Pradesh
Rural Development – Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday launched the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-GRAM G, from Mukkavaripalli village in the Railway Koduru constituency of Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan attended the programme, which marked the nationwide introduction of the rural development initiative.
Community projects inaugurated in Mukkavaripalli
The launch event included the start of three local development works in Mukkavaripalli. These included a rainwater harvesting pond and a magic drain system aimed at improving water management and sanitation. The leaders also distributed the first set of VB-GRAM G job cards to eligible residents.
Union Ministers of State for Rural Development Pemmasani Chandrasekhar and Kamlesh Paswan unveiled the official promotional anthem for the mission during the event. The programme is intended to support village-level infrastructure, employment opportunities and livelihood generation across the country.
Chouhan said the initiative would give Gram Sabhas a larger role in deciding and implementing local development priorities. He said the Centre’s funding support was intended to strengthen villages by allowing communities to plan projects based on their own needs.
Centre releases funds for Andhra Pradesh
The Union Minister announced that Rs 7,700 crore would be released as the Centre’s share for Andhra Pradesh during the current financial year. He also handed over a fund sanction document worth Rs 422 crore to the State government.
The sanctioned amount includes approval for 74,212 permanent houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. It also covers rural road and connectivity works under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
Chouhan further said the Union Government would procure 2,16,250 metric tonnes of Totapuri mangoes through the Market Intervention Scheme. The move is expected to support growers facing market-related challenges during the season.
State outlines rural infrastructure plans
Naidu said the national launch from Railway Koduru carried historical significance, noting that the earlier regional rollout of the rural employment programme MGNREGA had also begun in the Rayalaseema region.
According to the Chief Minister, more than Rs 12,845 crore will be available for rural works under the new mission. The amount includes the Central allocation of Rs 7,700 crore along with the State’s matching contribution. He said Andhra Pradesh had received one of the largest allocations under the scheme in the country.
Naidu also criticised the previous YSRCP government, alleging that 93 Centrally sponsored programmes, including the Jal Jeevan Mission, had been affected during its tenure. He said the present government would continue work on Amaravati and target the completion of the Polavaram project before the next Godavari Pushkarams.
He also outlined plans for a horticulture hub in Madanapalle and said industrial investments in automobiles, aerospace and data centres could contribute to the economic development of Rayalaseema.
Employment guarantee expanded under new mission
Pawan Kalyan said the country’s development depended on stronger and self-reliant villages. He thanked the Union government for choosing Andhra Pradesh for the national launch of VB-GRAM G.
He said Andhra Pradesh had improved its rural governance performance under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, moving from 24th place previously to the top rank in the country. The State also secured second place in the 2025 National Panchayat Awards, he added.
Under the new mission, the annual employment guarantee for each household has been increased from 100 days to 125 days. The scheme will also include a 60-day break during peak agricultural periods to reduce labour shortages for farmers.
The programme will focus on drainage systems, village roads and agricultural access routes. Officials said plans include the construction of 10,000 km of donka roads, with biometric systems proposed to improve transparency in implementation.