A Varta- Media Workshop on Viksit Bharat, Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission, Gramin (VB-GRAMG) and other Centrally Sponsored Schemes was held on March 30, at the Deputy Commissioner Office Conference Hall, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai.
The workshop was organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Shillong, in association with the District Administration, Jowai and Jaintia Journalist Association (JJA) for media persons of Jaintia Hills District.
Additional Director General, NEZ, Kripa Shankar Yadav (IIS), Additional Deputy Commissioner and Project Director DRDA, West Jaintia Hills Smt. B. Blah, MCS Shri Gopajit Assistant Direct, PIB, Shillong, present on the occasion.
The workshop aimed to sensitize media persons on key government initiatives, with a focus on employment generation and livelihood opportunities under VB – GRAMG, along with other flagship schemes.
Welcoming all, Gopajit Das, Assistant Direct, PIB, Shillong stated that the purpose of the workshop was to brief the media persons about the recent changes in MGNREGA. He informed that the government of India has decided to make the scheme more inclusive and has introduced a new term Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAMG) and to enable the media to disseminate accurate and updated information to the public.
Kripa Shankar Yadav stated that as envisioned by the Prime Minister, by the year 2047 India aims to become a developed country. He emphasised that achieving the goal requires active participation from rural communities and villages in economic growth and development activities. He highlighted that programmes such as VB-GRAMG plays an important role in strengthening rural livelihoods and generating employment opportunities.
He further stated that the media plays a key role in disseminating information to the public and acts as an important link between the government and the people. He requested the media persons to support the government in spreading development programmes and initiatives so that more people can benefit from them. He also thanked the media person for their continuous contribution in informing the public and supporting developmental activities.
Smt. B Blah, informed that MGNREGA has been a very important programme in the district as well in the state, with a large number of rural households depending on it for employment and livelihood. She mentioned that a huge number of job card holders are actively engaged in the programme, so it is very important for both beneficiaries and the general public to understand the difference between the old and the new scheme.
She further informed that several awareness programmes have been conducted at block and village levels and that positive feedback has been received so far. She added that during transition from old schemes to a new scheme, there is often apprehension and confusion among the people to make the public and beneficiaries understand of the changes made in the scheme, and therefore such workshops are necessary to sensitize the media persons and ensure clarity.
Highlighting the features of the programme, she stated that works under the VB- GRAMG will be taken up under four major categories, namely water scarcity and water conservation works, rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure and climate resilience works. She emphasised that water related works will be a priority area under the programme. She also informed that there will be changes in the planning and funding processes under the new scheme.
A detailed presentation on the changes under the scheme was presented by Shri. M. Liting, District Programme Manager (VB-GRAMB). An interactive session was also held during which Media Persons raised queries and sought clarifications.
Block Development Officers from Laskein, Thadlaskein, Amlarem and Namdong Blocks, officers from DIPR department both West and East Jaintia Hills District, representatives from DDK, Akashwani Jowai and Local Media, Synjuk ki Waheh Shnong Ri Jaintia and members of the NRLM and SHG were also present during the workshop.
