To finalise the Draft Convergence Framework in preparation for the scheme’s launch on July 1, 2026, the Ministry of Rural Development held a high-level inter-ministerial consultation. Rohit Kansal, Secretary, Department of Rural Development, chaired the meeting. This is a major step towards implementing the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G Act, 2025].
Representing the Centre’s dedication to a whole-of-government strategy for rural development and decentralised planning, the meeting brought together nodal officers and representatives from eighteen Ministries and Departments of the Indian Government.
In order to put the mission’s vision into action, the consultation centred on three main points: planning by the Gram Sabha, execution by the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI), and the convergence of resources from several government schemes. More effective use of resources and sustainable development outcomes are the goals of the suggested framework, which aims to guarantee that public investments are in line with locally recognised priorities.
Integrated with sector-specific programs run by several Ministries and Departments, the framework’s foundation is a bottom-up planning architecture that consolidates development priorities established at the Gram Sabha level through Panchayati Raj Institutions. Better coordination among government efforts and stronger grassroots governance are two goals of this strategy.
An interim list of 318 approved works has been notified by the Department of Rural Development to assist the mission’s deployment starting from July 1. This work covers important ground in areas like irrigation, community infrastructure, rural connection, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, livelihood creation, and natural resource management.
Participating officials in the consultation noted that there are significant prospects for convergence across various government programs and development schemes due to the broad scope of allowed works. We anticipate that this will lessen the need to duplicate efforts and resources while increasing the effect of development.
Rohit Kansal, speaking at the gathering, underlined that convergence is a cornerstone of the VB-G RAM G Act. In order to tackle interrelated issues in rural development such water security, livelihood generation, infrastructure development, climate adaption, and local economic growth, he emphasised the need of integrated planning.
He drew attention to the novel “Single Plan – Multi Funding” approach of the Act, which allows for the contribution of resources toward common development goals by various schemes and programs while allowing them to maintain their own mandates, funding structures, and implementation procedures.
The Department of Rural Development showcased the Draft Convergence Framework during the consultation, which centers rural development planning around the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan (VGPP). After community input and approval from the Gram Sabha, the VGPP will be ready to serve as the principal planning tool at the Gram Panchayat level.
The goal of the VGPP is to combine the demands of local communities for development with the resources, knowledge, and capital that are already available through various federal and state government programs. We hope that by including community goals into development initiatives, this integrated planning process would help to fortify local governance.
Image: DD News
Disclaimer: All news articles are sourced through valid sources, and Business Unlimited (BU) doesn’t have any exclusive rights on these pieces. If BU features any exclusive story or article, it will be marked as Exclusive Story.
