Bhubaneswar, June 13: In a major boost to rural development and livelihood security, the Odisha Cabinet on Friday approved the “Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Scheme (VB-G RAM G)”, a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening the rural economy and promoting inclusive growth across the state.

The scheme will be implemented in all Gram Panchayats under the provisions of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, and will come into force from July 1, 2026.

Under the programme, every eligible rural household will be entitled to 125 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year. The initiative seeks to provide financial stability to rural families, especially during periods of agricultural distress and seasonal unemployment, while creating productive community assets.

The scheme places emphasis on developing durable public infrastructure in four key areas: water security, rural connectivity and essential services, livelihood-supporting infrastructure, and climate resilience and disaster preparedness measures.

According to officials, the programme’s combined focus on employment generation and asset creation is expected to strengthen the rural economy, improve livelihood opportunities, and enhance the ability of villages to cope with extreme weather events.

A significant feature of the initiative is the preparation of Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, which will be developed through participatory and technology-driven processes to ensure that projects reflect local needs and priorities.

The state government said the scheme is in line with the broader vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047” and is expected to contribute significantly to poverty reduction, sustainable livelihood creation, and the development of resilient rural infrastructure.

With its rollout scheduled for July 2026, the VB-G RAM G scheme is expected to emerge as a cornerstone of Odisha’s rural development agenda, benefiting thousands of households across the state.