Kolkata, May 25 -- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday directed the state administration to initiate steps to commence the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G scheme), the Centre's new rural employment guarantee programme, in Bengal.
However, according to Nabanna sources, the scheme will initially remain suspended in two districts-South 24-Parganas and Murshidabad-due to large-scale allegations of irregularities during the previous Trinamool Congress regime.
The VB-G RAM-G scheme is expected to start from the first week of June. According to sources, the Chief Minister has made it clear that Aadhaar and Voter cards will be mandatory for jobs under the scheme. The engagement will be for 125 days instead of 100 days.
The new BJP government in Bengal is set to present its first full-fledged state Budget on June 22, with the administration signalling a strong focus on restoring fiscal discipline, reducing debt burden and reviving infrastructure and industrial growth.
The Chief Minister held a meeting at Nabanna with the secretaries of all state departments, where it was decided that the government will conduct a detailed review of the alleged irregularities in the two districts before resuming the scheme there.
The VB-G RAM G scheme, formerly known as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), has been facing suspension of Central funds in West Bengal following allegations of fake job cards and large-scale financial irregularities.
After the Centre halted fund allocation, the previous state government had launched an alternative state-funded programme named "Karmashree", under which job card holders were reportedly provided around 50 to 70 days of work annually.
Apart from the rural employment scheme, the Chief Minister also reviewed several key policy matters during Monday's meeting.
According to sources, Adhikari expressed his displeasure with the Finance and Textiles department, claiming that inferior fabric had been used for the manufacturing of school uniforms. He has sought a report in this regard.
On the Ghatal Master Plan, the CM directed the Irrigation and Waterways Department to proceed with a joint Centre-state funding mechanism, with both governments sharing the project cost equally in coordination with the Union Jal Shakti Ministry.
Under the proposed formula, 50 per cent of the project cost will be borne by the Union government and the remaining 50 per cent by the state.
According to sources in Nabanna, the state Assembly's mega Budget session is likely to begin on June 18. The Budget-the first one of the state BJP government-is expected to outline how the government plans to tackle the massive debt inherited from the previous TMC regime while simultaneously pushing investments in heavy industry, highways, flyovers and power infrastructure.
Senior officials were instructed to prepare a blueprint to increase the state's own revenue generation while cutting avoidable government spending. Sources said discussions also focused on channelising surplus funds towards stalled infrastructure projects and fast-tracking their completion.
The government is also seeking inputs from industry bodies and economic think tanks ahead of the Budget. Nabanna sources said the Chief Minister directed officials to invite written proposals from leading chambers of commerce on taxation reforms, investment incentives and measures required to attract domestic and foreign investors to Bengal.
The government also moved forward on implementing Ayushman Bharat in the state. The Health Department has reportedly been asked to finalise all necessary agreements by June 8 to facilitate the rollout of the Central health insurance scheme in West Bengal.
Officials across departments were further instructed to prepare detailed progress reports ahead of the upcoming NITI Aayog meeting scheduled for June 11.
The Chief Minister also announced that monthly review meetings with departmental secretaries would now be held regularly to ensure administrative accountability and faster implementation of government decisions.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.