West Bengal rolled out the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) on July 1, 2026, providing a 125-day job guarantee after a four-year gap.
The scheme resumes following the Union Government's halt to MGNREGA funds in March 2022 over alleged irregularities. The 2026-27 budget allocates ₹14,000 crore, shared 60:40 between the Centre and state, with ₹8,508 crore from the Centre and ₹5,672 crore from the state.
Minister for Panchayat and Rural Development Dilip Ghosh stated that funding would not constrain the scheme and that pending MGNREGS dues would be released after verification. However, around 2,000 non-functioning panchayats present administrative challenges.
The Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity noted that funds cover only about 60 days per active job card for 75.97 lakh cards, short of the guaranteed 125 days, and called for separate provisions for unemployment allowances under the scheme's rules.
