Jaipur, June 16 -- The Centre will roll out the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) (VB-GRAM G) across the country from July 1, 2026, replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Rajasthan has been allocated more than Rs.11,581 crore, including the Centre's interim share of over Rs.7,581 crore and an additional Rs.4,000 crore from the state government, marking the highest-ever funding for a rural employment guarantee programme in the state. The new rural employment scheme is being introduced under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Act, 2025, aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods, enhancing employment security and creating durable assets through better convergence of government programmes, states a release from the CM's Office. The Union government has earmarked Rs.95,692 crore for the programme in the 2026-27 financial year, the highest budgetary allocation ever made for a rural employment initiative. Including the states' contributions, the total expenditure under the programme is expected to exceed Rs.1.51 lakh crore nationwide. For Rajasthan, the Centre has made an interim allocation of more than Rs.7,581 crore, while the state government will provide an additional Rs.4,000 crore, with scope for further enhancement depending on demand and requirements. This will make available over Rs.11,581 crore for rural employment generation in the state, the largest allocation ever received under a rural employment guarantee framework. The new law has been designed to integrate resources from multiple government departments, reduce duplication of works, improve the quality of assets created and provide statutory employment security to rural labourers. The state government has stated that it will ensure effective implementation of the scheme so that no eligible rural family is deprived of its benefits, it states. A key feature of the new programme is the expansion of the employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days per financial year for eligible rural households whose adult members are willing to undertake unskilled manual work. This enhancement is expected to provide greater income security to rural families and help strengthen village-level economies. The payment system has also been revamped. While wages under the previous system were generally paid within 15 days, the new scheme provides for weekly wage payments. All payments will be transferred directly into beneficiaries' bank or post office accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism, ensuring greater transparency and timely disbursal. The legislation further introduces statutory safeguards for workers. Eligible beneficiaries will be entitled to an unemployment allowance if employment is not provided within the stipulated period. In addition, workers will be eligible for compensation in case of delays in wage payments, reinforcing accountability and livelihood protection....