MNREGA Transition to VB-GRAM-G Creates Uncertainty for 1.1 Lakh Job Card Holders in Mysuru
Mysuru: Approximately 1.1 lakh active job card holders registered under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) scheme in Mysuru district are facing significant uncertainty due to the ongoing transition to the new Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeeveeka Mission Gramin Bill 2025 (VB-GRAM-G). This confusion stems from a tussle between the state and Union governments following the central government's decision to overhaul the long-standing rural employment program.
Background of MNREGA and the New VB-GRAM-G Scheme
The MNREGA scheme, introduced in 2005, has been instrumental in transforming rural India by creating basic infrastructure, stabilizing rural incomes, eliminating poverty, and preventing mass migration from villages to cities in search of employment. It has served as a critical social safety net for millions of rural workers across the country.
However, the Union government has now transitioned this scheme to the VB-GRAM-G, aiming to build a strong India under Vision 2047. The new scheme focuses on ensuring income security for rural populations by guaranteeing 125 days of employment, while also emphasizing infrastructure development and strengthening accountability mechanisms for participants in rural areas.
Implementation Timeline and Current Confusion
The Union government announced plans to implement VB-GRAM-G from 2026-27 in all Zilla Panchayats (ZPs), with the rollout scheduled to begin in April 2026 following general assembly elections and bypolls in several states. Although the central government has assured that the old MNREGA scheme would continue until the new one is fully implemented, job card holders in Mysuru district remain deeply concerned about their employment security this year.
The situation has been further complicated by the state government's reluctance to give its approval for implementing the scheme this year, even as the center is prepared to launch it next month. This unresolved tussle between the state and central governments over implementation details has left the 1.1 lakh active job card holders in a state of limbo, unsure about their future employment prospects.
Previous Year's Performance and Current Status
During the 2025-26 fiscal year, Mysuru Zilla Panchayat created an impressive 17.5 lakh man-days of work under the MNREGA scheme across all 256 gram panchayat limits in the district's nine taluks. This provided employment to all active 1.1 lakh job card holders among the total 3.3 lakh enrolled under MNREGA in the district.
These workers received approximately 150 days of employment with daily wages of Rs 375 disbursed to them. According to Zilla Panchayat CEO S. Ukesh Kumar, the ZP has continued pending works under the old MNREGA scheme this month as per central government directions, maintaining operations until the new VB-GRAM-G comes into force.
Stakeholder Concerns and Calls for Resolution
Jagadeesh Surya, Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha Mysuru district president, emphasized the critical importance of continuing employment schemes for rural workers. "As this scheme has provided jobs for crores of workers in rural areas, prevented migration, eliminated poverty, and strengthened rural infrastructure, both the state and central governments should continue the scheme and provide jobs to job card holders in their interest," he stated. "All bottlenecks should be resolved to ensure a smooth transition to the new scheme."
The transition from MNREGA to VB-GRAM-G represents a significant shift in India's rural employment policy, with far-reaching implications for millions of workers who depend on these schemes for their livelihood. As the debate between state and central authorities continues, the immediate concern remains the job security of 1.1 lakh active card holders in Mysuru district who face an uncertain employment future amid this bureaucratic transition.
