Panchayat Minister Kishor Barman on Monday said that the newly introduced VB GRAMG scheme is expected to bring “transformational” changes in rural areas over the next five years.

He highlighted that Tripura has been recognised nationally for the performance of its three-tier Panchayati Raj system, securing seven national awards in total. This year alone, the state has received three awards, with around 80 percent of Panchayats classified in the front-runner category.

The Minister said the government’s focus is on the holistic development of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, youth, farmers, and other marginalised groups. He added that the VB GRAMG scheme, launched across the country from July 1, aims to expand rural employment opportunities by increasing guaranteed work from 100 to 125 days, with wages fixed at ₹300 per day.

According to him, the programme includes around 318 categories of permissible works in villages, with the broader goal of driving “radical rural transformation” within five years. He stressed that effective coordination between Zila Parishads, Panchayat Samitis, Gram Panchayats, Village Committees, and government officials will be crucial for its success.

He was speaking at a one-day state-level workshop on Panchayat Development Plans and 16th Finance Commission grants held at the State Panchayat Resource Center in Arundhatinagar, Agartala.

The Minister also said the state government is working to strengthen all Gram Panchayats and Village Committees, drawing inspiration from Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s ideals of service-oriented governance. He urged public representatives to work with integrity, dedication, and transparency for the welfare of society.