Centre allocates Rs 8,500 crore for West Bengal under VB-G RAM G Scheme

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced that the Centre has allocated ₹8,500 crore to the state under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G) scheme.

He also stated that under the Gram Sadak Yojana, projects worth ₹2,400 crore have been approved, with ₹1,000 crore already released by the Centre for rural infrastructure development.

Adhikari made the announcement while launching a statewide “Jan Kalyan Shivir” programme from Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district, aimed at improving access to welfare schemes and public services.

According to him, around 1,100 such camps are being organised across the state from June 15 to June 17, where citizens can apply for benefits under 54 central and state government schemes. The camps are open from 10 am to 5 pm.

He said the initiative is intended to ensure that welfare benefits reach eligible beneficiaries directly, while also addressing alleged irregularities in beneficiary databases from previous administrations.

Adhikari also questioned the inclusion of ineligible recipients in welfare schemes and stressed that benefits should be restricted to genuine and deserving households.

The VB-G RAM G scheme, which replaces MGNREGA in this context, is said to guarantee 125 days of rural employment annually to eligible households.