Telangana government officials said the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAM (G)) Act grants unilateral authority to the Central Government.
The legislation marks a shift in how rural development is managed in India. By centralizing decision-making power, the Act could limit the ability of state governments to tailor employment and livelihood programs to local needs.
According to officials, the provisions in the new legislation are likely to give unilateral authority to the Central Government in taking decisions [1]. This concern arises as the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) moves forward with the rollout of the program. On a recent Saturday, the MoRD reviewed the preparedness of states and Union territories to ensure the mission's implementation [2].
Financial concerns accompany the administrative friction. The estimated burden on Telangana is ₹2,550 crore [3], which represents the state's 40% contribution to the scheme [3]. This significant expenditure puts pressure on the state budget while the decision-making remains centralized in New Delhi.
The VB-GRAM (G) mission is designed to provide guarantees for employment and livelihood in rural areas. However, the structure of the Act has created a rift between the state's desire for autonomy and the Centre's push for a standardized national framework. Officials in Telangana said that the current legal language leaves little room for state-level negotiation, or modification of the program's execution.
While the MoRD continues to push for readiness across all territories, the Telangana government remains wary of the long-term implications of the Act. The tension highlights a broader struggle over federalism and the distribution of power between the national government and individual states regarding rural economic development.
“The provisions in the new legislation are likely to give unilateral authority to the Central Government in taking decisions.”
This dispute underscores a tension in Indian federalism where the Central Government seeks uniform implementation of national missions, while states fear a loss of autonomy. The combination of high financial contributions from the states and limited decision-making power could lead to further legal or political friction between state capitals and New Delhi.
