Parliament Question: Release of Funds under VB-GRAM-G

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 226 ANSWERED ON 04/08/2026 RELEASE OF FUNDS UNDER VB-GRAM-G *226. Smt. Supriya Sule:

Shri Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the first installment of funds released to Maharashtra under Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-GRAM-G) for village based growth through rural area maintenance, along with district-wise allocation and utilisation thereof;

(b) the criteria adopted for allocation of funds to Maharashtra;

(c) whether all eligible districts have received their due share under the Scheme, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has reviewed the pace of implementation and physical progress of works sanctioned under the Scheme in Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has received any representations regarding delays in fund release, execution of approved works or disparities in allocation among districts in Maharashtra, if so, the details thereof and the corrective measures taken in this regard; and

(f) the monitoring, social audit and transparency mechanisms put in place to ensure timely utilisation of funds and achievement of intended outcomes under the Scheme in Maharashtra? ANSWER MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Page 1 of 3STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *226 TO BE ANSWERED ON

04.08.2026 REGARDING “RELEASE OF FUNDS UNDER VB-GRAM-G”

(a) & (b): As per sub-section (4) of section 22 of the Viksit Bharat- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, which has come into force with effect from 01.07.2026 , the Central Government shall determine the State-wise normative allocation for each financial year, based on objective parameters as may be prescribed by the Central Government. To ensure continuity in the implementation of the wage employment scheme, uninterrupted discharge of the statutory entitlements and guarantees under the Act and seamless availability of funds to meet the demand for employment upon commencement of the Act, the Ministry of Rural Development has made interim fund allocations for all States/UTs, till such time the related subordinate legislation under the Act is finalised. Accordingly, for the current financial year 2026-27 (for the period between July 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027), an interim allocation of Rs. 4,420.32 crore has been made for the State of Maharashtra. Subsequently, Mother Sanctions amounting to Rs.

1,459.92 crore have been issued to the State as the first instalment under various components, based on the proposal received from the State.

(c): As per the provisions of Act, funds are allocated by the Central Government, State/UT-wise and not district-wise. The intra-State distribution of funds among districts and Gram Panchayats is prerogative of the concerned State/UT Government in accordance with the provisions of the Scheme notified by respective State/UT under VB-G RAM G Act, 2025.

(d) & (e): The Central Government has continuously been reviewing the pace of implementation and the physical progress of works under the Scheme in the country, including Maharashtra. As on 30.07.2026, over 97% of the workers who demanded employment have been offered employment and 29.09 lakh Persondays have been generated across 79,111 worksites in the state of Maharashtra. Further, 10,716 works under VB–G RAM G and 3,77,414 works under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS, respectively, aggregating to 3,88,130 works, have been completed during the Financial Year 2026–27 under the Scheme.

The implementation of VB- G RAM G Scheme has started w.e.f from 01.07.2026 and all States/UTs including Maharashtra have been Page 2 of 3sanctioned sufficient funds as per their request for meeting the commitment arising against wage, material and admin component.

(f): As the VB–G RAM G Act, 2025 has come into force with effect from 1st July, 2026, a comprehensive institutional, community-based and technology-enabled framework has been implemented under the Programme to ensure transparency, accountability, effective monitoring, timely utilisation of funds and achievement of the intended outcomes. Multi-tier monitoring at the Gram Panchayat, Intermediate Panchayat, District, State and National levels, mandatory Social Audit through independent Social Audit Units, public disclosure of records and information, grievance redressal mechanisms, regular inspections and concurrent monitoring are being undertaken as part of the implementation framework.

The implementation is further supported through technology- enabled systems. Attendance is being recorded through the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) to enhance transparency and authenticity, Area Officer monitoring visits are being conducted for independent field verification and assessment of the quality of implementation, assets are being geo-tagged, electronic Measurement Books (e-MB) are being used for recording measurements of works, and real-time monitoring of physical and financial progress is being carried out through the Management Information System (MIS). Further, the SNA SPARSH system has been implemented to facilitate timely and transparent release of funds, enable effective monitoring of fund flows and ensure efficient utilisation of programme funds. Wages are being paid through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into the Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts of workers, ensuring timely and transparent payments.

These institutional and technology-enabled mechanisms are ensuring transparency, accountability, timely utilisation of funds and effective achievement of the intended outcomes under the Programme. ***** Page 3 of 3