Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced that the state has been allocated ₹8,500 crore under the VB-G RAM G (Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission-Gramin) scheme by the Central Government. He also revealed that ₹2,400 crore has been approved under the rural roads programme, with ₹1,000 crore already released to the state.
The announcement was made while launching the statewide Jan Kalyan Shivir outreach programme from Nandigram.
Statewide Jan Kalyan Shivirs Launched Across Bengal
The Chief Minister inaugurated the large-scale public outreach initiative aimed at connecting citizens with welfare schemes offered by both the Central and State governments.
According to the government, around 1,100 Jan Kalyan Shivirs are being organized across West Bengal from June 15 to June 17, enabling residents to access information and apply for benefits under 54 welfare schemes.
Citizens can visit the camps between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to receive assistance, submit applications, and learn about various government programmes.
Benefits of 54 Welfare Schemes Available
The camps bring together multiple welfare initiatives under one platform, including major schemes such as:
- Annapurna Yojana
- Ayushman Bharat
- Rural employment and livelihood programmes
- Social welfare and financial assistance schemes
- Healthcare and food security initiatives
Officials expect the camps to improve access to government benefits, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
VB-G RAM G Scheme to Boost Rural Employment
CM Adhikari stated that the VB-G RAM G scheme has replaced the previous rural employment programme and aims to provide 125 days of guaranteed employment annually to rural families.
He said the ₹8,500 crore allocation will help increase rural incomes, strengthen livelihoods, and accelerate development works across villages in the state.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the scheme would create more employment opportunities and improve economic conditions in rural Bengal.
Focus on Genuine Beneficiaries
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister stressed the need for welfare benefits to reach genuine beneficiaries. He said the government is working to identify eligible recipients and prevent benefits from being diverted to ineligible or fake accounts.
He also raised concerns about irregularities in beneficiary databases under previous administrations and emphasized transparency in welfare delivery.
“The objective is to ensure that government assistance reaches the rightful beneficiaries and not fraudulent account holders,” he said.
Large Public Response on Day One
The first day of the Jan Kalyan Shivir programme witnessed long queues at several locations, indicating strong public interest in welfare schemes and government services. Officials said thousands of people visited the camps to seek information, register applications, and access benefits under various programmes.
Rural Development and Infrastructure Push
Apart from the employment allocation, the Chief Minister highlighted the Centre’s approval of ₹2,400 crore for rural road development, with an initial release of ₹1,000 crore already made. The funding is expected to strengthen village connectivity, improve transportation infrastructure, and support economic activity in rural regions.
Political Context: Ongoing Centre–State Debate Over Welfare Funding
The announcement also comes amid continued political debate between the West Bengal government and the Centre over welfare funding, particularly regarding MGNREGA allocations. The state has previously accused the Centre of withholding funds, while the Centre has cited implementation irregularities as the reason for delays.
