CM tells panchayats, ZP members to identify works that can be taken up under G RAM G scheme

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant said that the Viksit Bharat-G RAM G (Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)) scheme will help the state develop the rural economy. He urged panchayats and zilla panchayat members to identify the projects that need to be taken up under the G RAM G scheme.Sawant said that under the Viksit Bharat G RAM G Bill, 2025, people will be able to get an additional 25 days of guaranteed work from the existing 100 days. Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), women’s participation was 48%, and if state govt focused under the new scheme, then women’s participation could reach 56%, the chief minister said.The new scheme will benefit farmers and will guarantee labour, he added.Sawant said that under the scheme, state govt can block 60 days’ work, and can employ them for agricultural work for community farming to overcome the shortage of workers in the monsoon for agricultural activities. He said that even culvert work can be taken up, including climate-resilient work to prevent flooding and soil erosion.“State govt will monitor the implementation of the scheme so that it benefits rural Goa,” the chief minister said, and added that since 2022, more than 800 works were taken up under the old scheme, and 50% of the work was completed.Sawant said that the employment guarantee card will be revived, and in the case of someone over 75 years of age, it will be cancelled,” he added.