The Himachal Pradesh government officially notified the Himachal Pradesh Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) 2026 on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The scheme, enacted under the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, came into force from July 1, 2026, and aims to provide guaranteed employment to rural households across the state.
Funding Allocation and State Contribution
The Central Government has allocated Rs 1,302 crore for Himachal Pradesh under the scheme, while the state government will contribute Rs 133 crore. This combined corpus will fund employment generation and livelihood activities in all rural areas of the state as notified by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of Section 5 of the Act.
Secretary of Rural Development, C Paulrasu, issued the formal notification, marking a significant step toward rural employment assurance. The scheme is designed to cover every rural household in Himachal Pradesh, ensuring registration and issuance of a Gramin Rozgar Guarantee card to eligible families.
Eligibility and Priority Groups
As per the eligibility criteria, every rural household is eligible for registration. Priority is given to households belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Below Poverty Line families, women-headed households, single women, people with disabilities, transgender individuals, and other vulnerable groups. This targeted approach aims to uplift the most disadvantaged sections of rural society.
Employment Provisions and Transparency
Notably, there is no upper limit on the number of days of employment provided under the scheme. The state government may offer work beyond 125 days per household per year, depending on demand and resource availability. Gram panchayats will be responsible for verifying eligibility of households and workers.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the scheme includes provisions for social audits. These audits will be conducted periodically to review implementation, fund utilization, and grievance redressal. The notification mandates that all records related to employment, wages, and works be made available for public scrutiny.
Implementation and Coverage
The scheme covers all rural areas of Himachal Pradesh as defined under the Act. The Rural Development Department will oversee implementation through district and block-level offices. The Gramin Rozgar Guarantee card will serve as the primary document for workers to access employment and wage payments.
Officials stated that the scheme is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities, particularly in infrastructure development, water conservation, afforestation, and other community assets. The state government has also planned convergence with other rural development programs to maximize impact.
