Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to inaugurate the first state-level conference of elected representatives focusing on effective implementation of the VBGRAMG Act, rural development reforms, and the evolving role of Panchayat-to-Parliament leadership.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will on Wednesday inaugurate the first-ever state-level conference of elected representatives, marking a significant step toward strengthening grassroots governance and rural development mechanisms. The landmark conference will bring together elected members from all tiers of democratic representation, ranging from Panchayat-level functionaries to Members of Parliament.
The conference is being organised with a special focus on the effective implementation of the newly enacted VBGRAMG Act, which has replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Panchayat Minister Kishor Barman, while addressing reporters on Tuesday, said the event aims to clearly define and reinforce the responsibilities of elected representatives under the new legislative framework.
Briefing the media at Swami Vivekananda Maidan, the venue of the conference, Minister Barman said the programme would witness the participation of the Union Minister along with the Chief Minister, who will attend as the guest of honour. Senior government officials, policy planners, and elected representatives from across the state are also expected to be present in large numbers.
“The primary objective of this conference is to educate and empower the foot soldiers of rural development,” Barman said. “Elected representatives play a decisive role in translating policy into action. This platform will help them understand their responsibilities in ensuring the effective and transparent implementation of the VBGRAMG Act.”
The Minister emphasised that the VBGRAMG Act should not be viewed as a contradiction to MGNREGA, but rather as its evolved and reformed successor. He noted that while MGNREGA remained in force for a considerable period and contributed significantly to rural employment generation, it was not without limitations.
“MGNREGA had certain structural loopholes and operational challenges,” Barman explained. “The VBGRAMG Act has been introduced as a remedial measure to overcome those shortcomings and to better align rural employment programmes with present-day development needs.”
According to the Minister, the new legislation is designed to be more outcome-oriented, technologically adaptive, and administratively efficient. It aims to enhance accountability, streamline fund utilisation, and ensure that rural development initiatives are more responsive to local requirements.
During the conference, detailed deliberations will be held on policy execution, monitoring mechanisms, and the role of local governance institutions in achieving sustainable rural growth. Workshops and interactive sessions are also expected to facilitate direct engagement between policymakers and elected representatives.
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Government officials believe that bringing together representatives from Panchayat to Parliament on a single platform will help create better coordination, reduce implementation gaps, and foster a shared vision for rural transformation. The conference is being seen as a strategic move to strengthen democratic participation in development planning and execution.
With the inauguration of this conference, the government aims to set a precedent for inclusive governance and structured dialogue between elected representatives and the executive, reinforcing the central role of grassroots leadership in national development.
