Bihar Lifts Restrictions, Work Resumes Under VB-G RAM G In All 38 Districts

The Bihar government has lifted the suspension on construction work under the VB-G RAM G scheme, allowing workers in 22 flood-affected and 16 drought-hit districts to seek employment on a regular basis.

The Bihar Rural Development Department initiated efforts to employ unskilled workers under the Viksit Bharat: Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G, on October 21, 2026.

The move is intended to provide financial support to poor households while creating employment in areas affected by floods and drought.

Work resumes during disaster recovery

Construction work had earlier been suspended during the designated work-break period from October 22 to December 10, 2026, to ensure that agricultural activities were not disrupted during the agricultural season.

The restrictions have now been lifted because of the recent disaster situation in Bihar, with the stated aims of providing employment and supporting the restoration of damaged infrastructure.

The relaxation will allow workers to receive up to 125 days of wages under the employment guarantee programme, according to departmental officials.

Officials said the decision is also linked to the need to ensure employment opportunities for workers returning in view of the upcoming festivals.

Flood-hit districts face infrastructure damage

The 22 districts identified as severely affected by floods this year are Arwal, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Buxar, Darbhanga, Gopalganj, Katihar, Khagaria, Lakhisarai, Madhepura, Munger, Muzaffarpur, West Champaran, Patna, East Champaran, Purnia, Saharsa, Samastipur, Saran, Supaul and Vaishali.

Flooding has caused extensive damage to roads in these districts, while department officials said infrastructure had been damaged at several locations across the flood-affected areas.

The department said the restoration and repair of this infrastructure are urgently required, making employment in disaster-affected areas an immediate necessity.

The work is expected to support infrastructure reconstruction and accelerate development activities in the affected districts.

Drought-hit districts report crop damage

The 16 drought-hit districts are Araria, Aurangabad, Banka, Gaya Ji, Jamui, Jehanabad, Kaimur, Kishanganj, Madhubani, Nalanda, Nawada, Rohtas, Sheikhpura, Sheohar, Sitamarhi and Siwan.

These districts experienced drought conditions because rainfall was significantly below normal levels this year, according to the source material.

The drought has damaged the Rabi crop and led to a substantial decline in demand for agricultural labourers.

The decision to relax the work-break period therefore covers both districts requiring infrastructure restoration after floods and areas where agricultural labour demand has fallen because of drought-related crop damage.

Funding under the national scheme

The VB-G RAM G scheme was launched across the country on July 1, 2026.

Under the scheme, infrastructure development, asset creation and other development works are funded jointly by the central and state governments in a 60:40 ratio.

Rural Development Department and Information & Public Relations Department Minister Shravan Kumar said Bihar’s flood disasters had caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, culverts, pathways, embankments and other infrastructure.

“It is essential to repair and restore the damaged infrastructure so that development activities can be accelerated,” Shravan Kumar told the media.

Source: The Hindu