Punjab news: The Punjab VB G-RAM-G Scheme has been officially notified by the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government, marking a significant shift in its stand on the Centre's new rural employment law. The notification comes just months after the Punjab Assembly unanimously opposed the legislation and demanded that it be withdrawn.

The Punjab VB G-RAM-G Scheme will come into force across the state from July 1, replacing the existing MGNREGA framework under the new Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rural Employment and Livelihood Mission (Grameen) Act, 2025. Earlier, the Punjab Government had described the legislation as "anti-labour" and argued that it would adversely affect rural workers and poor families.

With the Punjab VB G-RAM-G Scheme now notified through an official gazette issued by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats, the state has formally implemented the same law it had earlier urged the Centre to repeal.

Gazette notification issued

According to the gazette notification issued on Friday, the scheme has been notified under the provisions of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rural Employment and Livelihood Mission (Grameen) Act, 2025.

The notification states that the scheme aims to align Punjab's rural development programmes with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 while guaranteeing 125 days of wage employment every financial year to eligible rural households whose adult members are willing to undertake unskilled manual work.

The notification has been signed by Administrative Secretary Ajit Balaji Joshi of the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats.

Scheme to be effective from July 1

The newly notified scheme will be implemented across all notified rural areas of Punjab from July 1. One of its major features is the increase in the annual employment guarantee from 100 days under MGNREGA to 125 days. The scheme also focuses on creating rural infrastructure and expanding livelihood opportunities in villages.

Punjab Assembly had earlier passed resolution against it

The latest notification stands in contrast to the Punjab Government's earlier position. During a special session of the Punjab Assembly on December 30, 2025, the Bhagwant Mann government moved a resolution opposing the Centre's legislation. The Assembly unanimously passed the resolution, urging the Union Government to withdraw the new Act and restore MGNREGA in its original rights-based form.

At the time, the state government termed the proposed law "anti-labour" and alleged that replacing MGNREGA would adversely affect Dalit labourers, rural workers and economically weaker families dependent on the employment guarantee programme.

The Punjab Government had also criticised the financial structure of the new law. According to the Assembly resolution, the state argued that the Centre had changed the funding model from a fully centrally funded programme to a 60:40 Centre-State cost-sharing arrangement, increasing the financial burden on states.

The government had maintained that the revised funding pattern would place additional pressure on Punjab's finances while reducing the Centre's share in the rural employment programme.

Despite its earlier opposition and the unanimous Assembly resolution seeking withdrawal of the law, the Punjab Government has now issued the gazette notification implementing the VB G-RAM-G Scheme from July 1.