Implica

Punjab government notifies VB-G RAM G scheme months after opposing it

The Punjab government has notified the VB-G RAM G scheme to implement a new rural employment law starting July 1, 2026, despite the Punjab Assembly having unanimously opposed the measure months earlier.

This decision brings the Centre's Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission into force in the state, marking a significant political U-turn that highlights the tension between state autonomy and central mandates on employment policy.

The move matters as it sets a precedent for other dissenting states to eventually adopt central labor laws under the pressure of national development goals.

Punjab Government

The Punjab government, after initially blocking the scheme, now frames the notification as a responsible policy shift to address employment and economic growth in the state.

Punjab Assembly & Opposition

The Punjab Assembly and opposition factions view the U-turn as a political contradiction, arguing that the state previously rejected the law due to concerns over its implementation.

  • Punjab is one of India's most agrarian states, with over half its workforce involved in farming and rural labor.
  • The term 'Rozgar' is commonly used in South Asia to refer to formal employment or job creation.
  • The VB-G RAM G scheme aligns with the national goal of creating 100 million jobs in rural India by 2030.