Senapati: The District Administration, Senapati, on Thursday organised the District-Level Jan Sammelan-cum-Launch of Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission- Gramin (VB-GRAM-G) at the Multipurpose Hall, Mini Secretariat, Senapati. The programme was inaugurated by P.P. Ronald, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and Project Director, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA),Senapati, and was organised by the District Programme Coordinator, MGNREGA, Senapati.
Addressing the gathering on behalf of the District Commissioner, P.P. Ronald expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their support in making the programme a success. He stated that the launch of VB-GRAM-G marks a renewed commitment towards building prosperous, resilient and self-reliant villages. He said the initiative builds upon the achievements of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) while introducing improvements aimed at strengthening livelihood security and promoting sustainable rural development.
Highlighting the achievements of MGNREGA, Ronald noted that the scheme has played a vital role in providing livelihood security to rural households while creating durable community assets such as rural roads, water harvesting structures, irrigation facilities, land development works, flood protection measures, plantations and other infrastructure that supports agriculture and improves the quality of life in rural areas. He also underscored the programme’s contribution to enhancing women’s participation, promoting community ownership and strengthening participatory rural development.
Speaking on the key features of VB-GRAM-G, he said the scheme provides up to 125 days of guaranteed wage employment for eligible rural households and incorporates a 60-day break during the peak agricultural season to support farming activities. The mission focuses on natural resource conservation, rural infrastructure development, livelihood promotion and the creation of durable community assets. It also places emphasis on timely wage payments through transparent systems and encourages active community participation in planning and implementation.
Calling upon Gram Panchayat Chairpersons, Secretaries, village leaders, government officials and community members to work in close coordination, Ronald stressed the importance of active Gram Sabha participation, proper record-keeping, regular monitoring and social accountability to ensure the successful implementation of the mission. He expressed confidence that, with the collective efforts of all stakeholders, Senapati district would emerge as a model in implementing the vision of Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin). He also administered the VB-GRAM-G Implementation Pledge to all participants.
As part of the programme, an informative video on the implementation of VB-GRAM-G was screened. Nehemiah Rong, Project Economist, DRDA Senapati, presented a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the district’s MGNREGA achievements across various blocks.
The programme also featured success stories from beneficiaries representing Song Song, Tadubi, Chilivai, Phaibung, Purul, Willong and Paomata blocks. The beneficiaries shared their experiences on the successful implementation of MGNREGA works, including vermicompost pits, water harvesting ponds, internal village roads (IVRs), pucca drainage systems and other community assets.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to the top three performing villages from each block in recognition of their outstanding implementation of MGNREGA schemes.
The programme was attended by Block Development Officers-cum-Programme Officers (BDOs/POs), district-level officers (DLOs), Village Chairpersons and Secretaries, representatives of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), youth representatives and other stakeholders committed to rural development.
