Suvendu government launches special drive to bring back over 22 lakh migrant workers to Bengal

West Bengal's Suvendu government has initiated a special campaign to reunite over 22 lakh migrant workers with their homes in the state. These workers often journey across the nation in pursuit of employment opportunities. The government aims to enroll these individuals under the Centre's guaranteed rural employment scheme, VB-G RAM G, which guarantees a minimum of 125 days of work per year for unskilled manual laborers.

District administrations are directed to promptly register eligible beneficiaries under the scheme. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari previously encouraged migrant workers to return to Bengal, assuring them of job prospects in a state "entering the era of development." The Panchayat and Rural Development Department issued a directive to all district magistrates, stating that under the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act 2025, a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment is now available to rural households willing to undertake unskilled manual work.

District administrations are tasked with issuing Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards (GRGC) to eligible families, documenting their work requirements, and connecting workers from other states with rural employment opportunities in Bengal. As of now, 22,24,060 migrant workers have been identified in West Bengal, with Murshidabad leading the count at 3,86,191, followed by Malda with 2,86,329, and Paschim Medinipur with 1,68,570.