Lucknow | In a major boost to rural employment and development initiatives under the “Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission,” the Government of India has announced an interim financial allocation exceeding ₹95,692 crore for States and Union Territories, with Uttar Pradesh receiving the highest share of ₹9,721.48 crore.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening rural infrastructure, expanding livelihood opportunities, and empowering workers across the country.
High-Level Review Meeting Held
A key high-level meeting was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, through video conferencing with rural development ministers from all States and Union Territories.
Union Minister of State Chandrashekhar Pemmasani also participated in the meeting, along with Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who joined virtually.
Focus on Employment and Smooth Transition
Addressing the meeting, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is undertaking a comprehensive policy and financial reform aimed at accelerating rural employment, worker welfare, and village development.
He emphasized that the transition process under the new framework, set to be implemented from July 1, 2026, must be worker-centric, seamless, and disruption-free. He stressed that no worker should be deprived of employment and that timely wage payments and legal protection of workers’ rights must be ensured.
Fund Allocation Details
The Union Minister informed that ₹30,000 crore had already been released earlier under MGNREGA. With the additional interim allocation of ₹95,692 crore, the total available funds now exceed approximately ₹1.25 lakh crore.
These funds are expected to reach nearly 2.80 lakh gram panchayats across the country, ensuring adequate financial resources for development works at the grassroots level. The Minister urged States to ensure prior approval of sufficient works so that employment generation and development activities can begin effectively from July 1, 2026.
Uttar Pradesh Receives Highest Share
Among all States, Uttar Pradesh has been allocated the highest amount of ₹9,721.48 crore.
Welcoming the decision, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He stated that the allocation will significantly accelerate rural development, employment generation, and infrastructure expansion in the state.
He further assured that the Uttar Pradesh government is committed to utilizing the funds with transparency, accountability, and efficiency to ensure holistic development of rural areas and strengthen the rural economy.
Objective of the Mission
The “Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission” aims to enhance rural livelihoods, create sustainable employment opportunities, and strengthen village-level infrastructure across India, marking a major step towards inclusive rural development.
