Chandigarh: The Punjab Government has announced the implementation of the VB GRAM G employment scheme, a rural livelihood initiative aimed at creating additional work opportunities for people living in villages. The programme will come into effect across the state from July 1, 2026.
According to an official notification issued by the state government, eligible rural households will be entitled to 125 days of wage employment under the new scheme, with the objective of strengthening rural incomes and generating local employment opportunities.
The financial structure of the programme has also been revised. Under the new arrangement, the expenditure will be shared between the Centre and the state in a 60:40 ratio, replacing the previous funding mechanism.
Officials said the scheme is expected to benefit thousands of rural families by providing employment closer to their homes while supporting the development of village-level infrastructure through approved public works.
The decision marks a significant policy shift, as the Punjab Assembly had earlier passed a resolution expressing reservations over the proposed scheme. Despite the earlier opposition, the state has now formally notified its implementation, paving the way for its launch from the beginning of next month.
Government sources said detailed operational guidelines have been circulated to the concerned departments to ensure smooth implementation at the district and village levels. Local authorities have also been instructed to complete preparatory work before the scheme becomes operational.
The Punjab Government believes the initiative will strengthen rural employment, reduce seasonal migration and provide an additional source of income for economically weaker households while contributing to development works in villages across the state.
Below is the copy of the Notification issued by the DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT & PANCHAYATS:
GOVERNMENT OF PUNJAB DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT & PANCHAYATS NOTIFICATION The 26th June, 2026 No. 1/51/2018/NC-3/4034-44.- In order to align the Rural Development framework with the national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 by providing an enhanced statutory wage employment guarantee of one hundred and twenty five (125) days in each financial year to such rural household whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work; and to focus on employment, growth, convergence and saturation, the Government of Punjab is pleased to notify the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Scheme, Punjab 2026,” under the provisions of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. Sd/AJIT BALA JI JOSHI, IAS Administrative Secretary to the Government of Punjab.
Sd/
AJIT BALA JI JOSHI, IAS Administrative Secretary to the Government of Punjab
