Migrant workers of Bengal to return home, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari issues call

According to a report by The Hindu, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday, i.e., 4 November 2026, has urged the state's migrant workers to return to their homeland. While making this appeal, he mentioned the 'VB-G RAM G' scheme, under which 125 days of work is guaranteed. The Chief Minister stated that there is immense scope within this scheme, and therefore, workers should return to their state and work with their families. He added that every job card holder is guaranteed an amount of ₹34,500 annually.

Speaking to journalists after a review meeting with the Panchayat Department, the Chief Minister provided details, noting that senior officials and Panchayat Minister Dilip Ghosh were also present at the meeting. He informed that several departmental-level issues have been resolved and work under this scheme is progressing enthusiastically. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that within the next 2 years, the Panchayat and Rural Development Department will become the state's best and most ideal department.

As per Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, the state government is making efforts to achieve the target of 22 crore person-days set by the Central Government. Under this scheme, an allocation of ₹12,000 crore for work has been made jointly by the Centre and the State. So far, 65.62 lakh person-days have been created and daily employment has reached 7.09 lakh. In this context, Panchayat Minister Dilip Ghosh stated that the government aims to increase daily employment to 10 lakh person-days by December, with a final target of reaching 17 lakh.

Furthermore, Minister Dilip Ghosh alleged that during the previous government's rule, at least ₹80,000 crore was lost due to corruption over the last 4 years. On the other hand, the Chief Minister stated that during the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) tenure of the Central Government, 31 lakh fake job cards were cancelled. After receiving approval from the Central Government, the state has rectified discrepancies related to Aadhaar seeding and has issued approximately 10 lakh new job cards.

Suvendu Adhikari also stated that the Cabinet has approved the recruitment of 7,190 employees through the Public Service Commission to further strengthen the Panchayat administration. After the conclusion of the Assembly session, appropriate amendments will be made to the recruitment rules, and it is expected that these new employees will be appointed by April 2027. To ensure that a shortage of manpower does not arise, another 1,000 contract-based employees will also be recruited for one year.

A fully-equipped Panchayat Bhavan will be constructed on five acres of land in Newtown, near the proposed sites of the Calcutta High Court and the State Assembly. Suvendu Adhikari informed that a booklet showcasing 375 action plans has also been published, which will be promoted by reaching every household in rural areas with the help of folk music and other media.

Speaking about rural housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Minister Dilip Ghosh stated that the 47 lakh beneficiaries who were deprived of houses during the previous government's rule will be provided with permanent houses within the upcoming 2-year period.