Bengal to Launch New Rural Employment Scheme in July, Guaranteeing 125 Days of Work

West Bengal is set to roll out the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G, from July 1, marking the return of a major rural employment programme in the state after a prolonged disruption. The scheme will provide eligible rural households with 125 days of wage employment annually, an increase from the 100 days guaranteed under the earlier MGNREGA framework.

State Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh announced that the verification of approximately 2.56 crore job cards is nearing completion, paving the way for beneficiaries to begin receiving employment under the new programme from next month. Until then, rural workers will continue to be offered jobs under the existing MGNREGA structure during June.

According to the minister, the new scheme is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities across rural Bengal and significantly boost livelihood security. The programme is projected to involve an expenditure of around ₹12,850 crore during the current financial year, with costs shared between the Centre and the state government in a 60:40 ratio.

Apart from the employment initiative, the state government is also working with the Centre to revive other rural development projects that had remained inactive in recent years. Discussions are underway for the construction of nearly 2,790 kilometres of rural roads and dozens of bridges under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana at an estimated cost of ₹2,500 crore.

Officials, however, cautioned that implementing the scheme could pose administrative challenges. The preparation and approval of annual work plans at the gram sabha level may prove difficult in areas where elected panchayat representatives have been largely absent from local governance activities. Despite these concerns, the state government has directed district administrations to expedite the approval process to ensure the scheme begins on schedule.