West Bengal Eyes 22 Crore Person-Days of Rural Employment
CM Suvendu Adhikari reviews VB-G RAM-G and PMAY schemes, announcing 7,190 new recruitments and a goal of 22 crore person-days of work.
In a major push toward rural empowerment and infrastructure development, the West Bengal government has set an ambitious target of generating 22 crore person-days of employment under the VB-G RAM-G scheme. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari chaired a high-level review meeting at the Panchayat and Rural Development Department to assess the progress of this initiative alongside the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
On Track for Massive Employment Goals
Following the review, the Chief Minister expressed strong satisfaction with the current trajectory of the state's rural employment programs. He revealed that the state is already generating over 7 lakh jobs daily, with approximately 22 lakh rural residents currently actively employed through these initiatives.
"The progress is very good. We are on track to meet both targets: the creation of 22 crore person-days of employment," the Chief Minister stated, adding his confidence that the Department of Panchayats and Rural Development would eventually serve as a model for the entire nation.
Overcoming Administrative Hurdles
The implementation of the VB-G RAM-G scheme, which focuses on developing rural infrastructure, has not been without its challenges. The Chief Minister noted that while Gram Panchayats are essential for the execution of these projects, many are currently controlled by individuals with opposing ideologies. To navigate this, the state government has introduced legal amendments to ensure that development work continues despite political friction.
KYC Cleanup and New Job Cards
A significant administrative overhaul has taken place regarding the 100-day employment scheme (MGNREGA). As part of a rigorous Aadhaar-based KYC verification process, the government has removed 31 lakh names from the records to eliminate irregularities. Simultaneously, the administration has issued 10 lakh new job cards to eligible applicants, supported by initial funding from the Government of India.
Boosting Departmental Strength and Infrastructure
To ensure that these grassroots programs are managed effectively, the Chief Minister announced a massive recruitment drive. A total of 7,190 new positions will be filled within the Panchayat and Rural Development Department to strengthen its administrative capacity.
Further strategic moves include:
- Legislative Action: A special session of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly will be convened to pass a new law. In the interim, the current arrangements will be implemented for one year to prevent any interruption in work.
- New Headquarters: The government is allocating five acres of land in New Town for the construction of a new, dedicated Panchayat building.
With less than five months remaining to hit the annual target, the state administration is accelerating its efforts to ensure that the goal of employing 22 lakh people and achieving the person-day milestone is met within the stipulated timeframe.