Punjab adopts new rural job scheme it once opposed; 125-day work guarantee from July 1
The Punjab government has notified the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) [VB-G RAM G] Scheme, Punjab 2026, bringing the Centre's new rural employment framework into effect from July 1. This marks a significant reversal of the state's earlier opposition to the legislation.
According to a gazette notification issued by the department of rural development and panchayats, the scheme is enacted under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. It aims to align Punjab's rural development with the national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 by providing a statutory wage employment guarantee of up to 125 days per financial year to adult members of rural households willing to do unskilled manual work.
The scheme applies to all notified rural areas in the state and adopts a 60:40 cost-sharing model between the Centre and the state. It replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which provided 100 days of work and was fully funded by the Centre.
The notification represents a policy shift for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government. In December 2025, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha unanimously passed a resolution demanding the withdrawal of the new Act and the restoration of MGNREGA. The resolution described the new law as 'anti-Dalit' and accused the BJP-led Centre of imposing an additional financial burden on states.
Administrative secretary Ajit Bala Ji Joshi signed the notification, which was issued by the Governor under Section 3(1) of the Central Act. The scheme retains direct benefit transfer for wages and unemployment allowances, and establishes a Central Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Council, a National Level Steering Committee, and a multi-tier grievance redressal mechanism.
Ongoing MGNREGA works as of June 30 will be transitioned into the new framework, and existing e-KYC-verified job cards will remain temporarily valid until new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued. The enhanced guarantee of 125 days is a key feature of the new scheme.
