West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has called upon migrant workers from the state to return home, highlighting the employment opportunities available under the VB-G RAM G scheme. This initiative guarantees 125 days of work annually, which Adhikari believes can significantly benefit those who have left the state in search of jobs. He emphasised the importance of working in their home state, stating, “Come back and work with your family.” Each job card holder is assured an annual income of ₹34,500.

Progress of the VB-G RAM G Scheme

During a press briefing following a review meeting with the panchayat department, Adhikari reported that various inter-departmental issues had been resolved, allowing for smoother implementation of the scheme. He expressed confidence that the Panchayat and Rural Development department would evolve into a “model department” within two years. The state is actively working to meet the Centre’s target of generating 22 crore person-days of employment, with allocations worth ₹12,000 crore made collaboratively by both the Centre and the state.

As of now, the scheme has successfully generated 65.62 lakh person-days of work, with daily employment figures reaching 7.09 lakh. Adhikari stated that the government aims to increase this number to 10 lakh by December, with a long-term target of 17 lakh person-days. He attributed losses of approximately ₹80,000 crore incurred by the previous state government over the last four years to corruption.

Adhikari further mentioned that the Centre had cancelled 31 lakh fake job cards identified during the MGNREGA regime. Following the Centre’s clearance, the state has rectified discrepancies related to Aadhaar seeding and issued around 10 lakh new job cards to eligible workers.

Strengthening Panchayat Administration

To bolster the panchayat administration, the Cabinet has approved the recruitment of 7,190 personnel through the Public Service Commission. Adhikari indicated that the recruitment rules would be revised after the Assembly session, with the newly appointed personnel expected to start their roles by April 2027. Additionally, to address immediate manpower needs, another 1,000 contractual personnel will be hired for one year.

In a bid to enhance administrative efficiency, a full-fledged Panchayat Bhavan is set to be constructed on a five-acre plot in New Town, strategically located near the proposed sites of the Calcutta High Court and the state Assembly. This development aims to centralise panchayat operations and improve service delivery.

Adhikari also announced the publication of a booklet detailing 375 work schemes, which will be distributed to rural communities. The government plans to promote these schemes through various outreach methods, including folk music, to ensure that the information reaches the intended beneficiaries.

Rural Housing Initiatives

On the topic of rural housing, Panchayat Minister Dilip Ghosh stated that 47 lakh beneficiaries who were deprived of homes during the previous administration would receive housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana over the next two years. This initiative aims to address the housing deficit and improve living conditions for the rural population.

Ghosh reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that no eligible individual is left without adequate housing. The focus will be on expediting the construction process and ensuring transparency in the allocation of resources.

Overall, the state government is making concerted efforts to enhance employment opportunities and improve infrastructure in rural areas, aiming to create a more self-sufficient and prosperous community.

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