Jharkhand formally adopted the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) on Thursday, with the state Cabinet deciding to shoulder the entire 40 per cent state contribution towards workers' wages to ensure rural households do not face any additional financial burden.
The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, where a total of 27 proposals were approved.
Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat) Vandana Dadel said the Rural Development Department has also been directed to create provisions for additional employment opportunities for members of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) under the new programme.
The move is politically significant as the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and its ally Congress had earlier voiced opposition to the Centre's VB-G RAM G initiative, which has replaced the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
The state government's decision comes on the day the new legislation came into force across the country.
The Centre has fixed daily wages for unskilled workers under the scheme between Rs 300 and Rs 409, with Jharkhand among the states receiving an increase of more than 15 per cent compared to previous wage rates.
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Among the Cabinet's biggest decisions was administrative approval of Rs 4,189.41 crore for the construction of RIMS-2, a major expansion of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi.
Envisioned as one of Asia's largest healthcare facilities, the project is expected to substantially enhance tertiary medical services in the state. Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari welcomed the approval, describing it as a major step towards strengthening Jharkhand's healthcare infrastructure.
The Cabinet also approved the organisation of the National Stakeholder Consultation 2026 in New Delhi on July 8 and 9, which will be chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
Preparations for the upcoming Shravani Mela also received a boost, with approval for establishing 28 temporary police outposts and 19 traffic outposts in Deoghar to manage the annual pilgrimage from July 30 to August 28.
In the infrastructure sector, the government sanctioned Rs 36.30 crore for widening the 2.69-km Birsa Chowk-Dhurwa Roundabout Road via Chandni Chowk in Ranchi, Rs 88.84 crore for the 3.25-km Paladih-Bhognadih road in Sahibganj, Rs 221.41 crore for upgrading a 51.93-km stretch of the Govindpur-Sahibganj road, and Rs 128.20 crore for constructing the Pakur-Kharutola link road.
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