A political controversy has erupted in Punjab after the state government officially notified the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Gramin) (VB-G-RAM G) Scheme, Punjab-2026, despite the Punjab Legislative Assembly having earlier passed a unanimous resolution rejecting the scheme.
According to the Punjab Government Gazette Extraordinary issued by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats on June 26, 2026, the state has notified the VB-G-RAM G Scheme, Punjab-2026, which guarantees 125 days of employment per financial year for rural households. The notification states that the scheme will come into force from July 1, 2026, and will be implemented across the notified rural areas of Punjab.
The notification has triggered sharp political reactions, with Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring questioning the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over its apparent change in stand.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Warring asked what understanding or “deal” the Punjab government had reached with the BJP that prompted it to implement the scheme after previously opposing it. He recalled that the Punjab government had convened a Special Session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on December 30, 2025, during which a unanimous resolution was passed rejecting the VB-G-RAM G scheme.
“The same government has now notified the implementation of the scheme, effectively negating its own resolution,” Warring said.
The Congress leader also questioned the timing of the notification, suggesting it coincided with the ongoing political controversy surrounding Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. He asked whether the implementation of the scheme was linked to recent developments and alleged that the Chief Minister was attempting to “buy peace” with the BJP after coming under pressure.
Warring further maintained that there appeared to be no justification for implementing the scheme after the state legislature had unanimously resolved to reject it.
He also called upon AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal to clarify whether he had approved the implementation of the scheme in Punjab. Warring said Kejriwal should publicly explain the party’s position, adding that continued silence would strengthen allegations that the AAP had entered into an “opportunistic deal” with the BJP.
The Punjab government has not yet issued any official response to the Congress allegations. The Gazette notification, however, formally confirms that the VB-G-RAMG Scheme, Punjab-2026, has been notified and is scheduled to take effect from July 1, 2026.