Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay Requests Prime Minister Modi to Revise VB-GRAMG Scheme to Alleviate ₹5,000 Burden

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay urges Prime Minister Modi to Revise VB-GRAMG Scheme

In a recent appeal, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the VB-GRAMG (Viksit Bharat-Grade Rural Agricultural Market Guarantee) scheme, asserting that it could lead to an additional fiscal burden of ₹5,000 crore on the states finances. The Chief Minister expressed concerns regarding the schemes implications for states economic stability during a formal meeting with the Prime Minister.

The VB-GRAMG scheme is part of the central governments broader initiative aimed at enhancing rural infrastructure and agricultural marketing. However, CM Stalin argues that the financial demands attached to this scheme could strain Tamil Nadus budget, particularly in a period already marked by economic challenges exacerbated by the pandemic and other pressing social expenditures.

As discussions surrounding the implementation of this scheme gain momentum, Karnataka is set to roll out its version of the VB-GRAMG scheme. The Karnataka government has expressed optimism about the potential benefits for rural farmers, citing improvements in market access and pricing stability as key objectives.

Further complicating these developments, the Congress party has claimed that several BJP-ruled states are raising concerns about the funding model of the VB-GRAMG scheme, suggesting that there is significant opposition to the financial arrangements proposed by the central government.

As the situation continues to unfold, stakeholders from various states are closely monitoring the repercussions of the VB-GRAMG scheme and its impact on regional economies and agricultural communities.