West Bengal Replaces MGNREGA with VB-G RAM G, Guarantees 125 Work Days
Context mode is active. Hover over any highlighted term to see its definition. Click a nested term to go deeper.
In a significant move reshaping rural employment in India, West Bengal has officially launched its own scheme, the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G, effective today, July 1, 2026. This new program replaces the long-standing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the state, promising 125 days of wage employment annually to 2.56 crore eligible rural households, a notable increase from the previous 100 days. The ambitious initiative will see funding shared between the Centre and the state in a 60:40 ratio, marking a departure from MGNREGA's funding structure and signaling a new chapter for rural development in West Bengal. The rollout comes amidst years of friction between the West Bengal government and the Centre over withheld MGNREGA funds, with payments halted since March 2022 due to alleged corruption and non-compliance. While the Calcutta High Court ordered the resumption of payments in July 2025, and the Centre recently cleared dues after a change in the state's political leadership, West Bengal's adoption of VB-G RAM G pushes forward a state-led vision. Critics argue the new allocation-based, 'supply-driven' model, compared to MGNREGA's 'demand-driven' framework, places a heavier financial burden on states and could undermine the spirit of federalism. With an initial allocation of Rs 14,000 crore for the scheme in West Bengal, including Rs 8,508 crore from the Centre and Rs 5,672 crore from the state, the focus is now on how effectively VB-G RAM G will deliver on its promises. The program prioritizes water security, rural infrastructure, and climate resilience, integrating its plans with the national PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. As other states also grapple with the new national VB-G RAM G Act, all eyes will be on West Bengal's implementation and whether its enhanced guarantee truly translates into sustained rural livelihood security without new bureaucratic hurdles or financial strains for the state.