Malda, Nov. 9 -- With Malda lagging behind in the implementation of the VB-G RAM-G scheme, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed the district administration to accelerate the pace of work and ensure greater employment generation by December. In a recent virtual meeting with all districts, the Chief Minister also stressed the need to provide employment to families of migrant workers who are currently working outside the state.

According to district administration sources, Malda has around 1.10 lakh workers associated with the employment scheme. The Chief Minister reportedly instructed officials to take special initiatives to bring migrant workers back, particularly in districts like Malda and Murshidabad, which account for a significant number of workers employed in other states. Those returning home will be provided employment under the 125-day scheme. Meanwhile, their family members will also be offered work until they return. Families without job cards will be issued rural employment guarantee cards on a priority basis.

Additional District Magistrate (Zilla Parishad) Bhaskar Majumdar said: "The Chief Minister has directed us to accelerate work under the VB-G RAM-G scheme. Accordingly, we are taking up the task on a priority basis. If family members of migrant workers need employment, we are making special arrangements to provide them with 125 days of work. We are also facilitating the issuance of job cards. Migrant workers returning home will also be accommodated under the scheme."

The administration is also exploring new categories of work to generate more person-days. Apart from plantation and boundary wall construction, supplementary infrastructure works linked to projects undertaken through MLA and MP funds will now be considered. For instance, an approach road connecting a community hall to the main road could be constructed under the employment scheme to bridge infrastructure gaps.

Malda's performance, however, remains a concern. In the overall assessment, the district scored 45 out of 100, ranking 16th in the state and fifth among the eight North Bengal districts.

A slight improvement in work generation over the past seven days has helped it move up marginally.

The Chief Minister also reviewed four other schemes - Banglar Bari, Annapurna Yojana, Ayushman Bharat and PM Surya Ghar Yojana, said officials.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.