New Delhi, July 5 -- The Centre has released the first instalment of Rs.25,863 crore to states for implementing the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G-RAM-G), the government's new rural employment programme that replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) from 1 July 2026, Union rural development minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Sunday.

The announcement came during a video conference with rural development ministers from states and Union territories, where Chouhan reviewed the rollout and said the nationwide transition had been completed without any technical or operational disruptions.

The minister said the government had resolved to implement VB-G-RAM-G acros...