Bhubaneswar: In a major move to bolster the rural economy and combat seasonal unemployment, the Odisha government is set to roll out Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), starting July 1.
The state Cabinet has cleared the scheme during a recent high-level meeting. Codified under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, the initiative will be implemented across all gram panchayats in the state to build durable community assets and secure rural livelihoods.
125 Days of Guaranteed Wages
A defining feature of VB-G RAM G is its enhanced safety net. Under this new framework, every eligible rural household in Odisha will be entitled to a minimum of 125 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year. This significantly exceeds the 100-day employment guarantee currently provided under the Central government’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
This expanded window is specifically designed to protect vulnerable families from income insecurity during lean agricultural periods and times of acute rural distress.
Balancing Labour and Agriculture
Briefing the media on the Cabinet’s decision, Chief Secretary Anu Garg highlighted a strategic component of the scheme aimed at protecting the state’s agricultural sector. The government would identify and notify up to 60 days during critical agricultural seasons, particularly sowing and harvesting periods. This measure will ensure that local agricultural fields do not face a labour shortage, while simultaneously allowing the state to extend structured livelihood support when farming activities wind down.
Focus on Climate Resilience and Infrastructure
The scheme isn’t just about immediate wage relief; it is heavily geared toward sustainable, long-term rural development. Sources close to the state’s rural development department indicate that the works undertaken will be strictly aligned with modern environmental and logistical needs.
Key focus areas include:
>> Water conservation and natural resource management.
>> Rural infrastructure development to link remote villages to markets.
>> Climate resilience and disaster preparedness, crucial for Odisha’s cyclone-prone coastal belts.
To ensure public funds are utilised effectively, the state is introducing technology-enabled, participatory Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans. These plans will be drafted at the village level, allowing community members to directly identify local priorities and drive need-based development.
The Odisha government has earmarked Rs 5,575 crore for the implementation of the programme in the 2025-26 financial year.
