On Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held a review meeting with the Panchayat Department, attended by Panchayat Development Minister Dilip Ghosh and senior officials. Adhikari said the Panchayat and Rural Development Department will become a model department in the next two years, with efforts focused on improving job creation and welfare for rural people.
In an attempt to increase employment, Adhikari said the Cabinet has approved 7,190 vacant posts under the Public Service Commission to strengthen the Panchayat Department. The relevant rules will be amended after the Assembly session, and these posts are expected to be filled by April 2027.
The CM also urged migrant labourers to return to the state and work and stay with their families under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grameen) (VB-G RAM G) scheme.
“I appeal to migrant workers to come home. Your wife and son can all work together. All families join the VB scheme,” said Suvendu Adhikari, adding that migrant workers will receive their money and the government will push for an increase in wages under the 125-day scheme.
“There is huge scope under the VB-G RAM G scheme, which guarantees 125 days of work,” added the CM, who also said that ₹34,000 crore had been sanctioned for job cardholders. As many as 13 lakh fake job cards were cancelled under the erstwhile MGNREGA scheme.
The CM stated that 65.62 lakh person-days of employment have been generated so far, with daily employment reaching more than 7 lakh person-days. A target has been set to increase this to 10 lakh person-days by December and eventually to 17 lakh person-days.
Migrant labourers from West Bengal seek better work opportunities in other states, particularly in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. The CM is hoping that the state government’s efforts will not only improve industrial development and create more jobs but also focus on rural employment opportunities that can engage a majority of the workforce.
