SRINAGAR: The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has seen significant uptake in employment generation initiatives, with 3,707 individuals becoming first-time employee beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY). Additionally, the scheme has facilitated the creation of 5,228 jobs within beneficiary establishments through its employer incentive component, according to data presented in the Lok Sabha.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that 212 establishments across Jammu and Kashmir have received incentives totalling Rs 5.23 crore under Part B of the scheme, which supports employer incentives. Under Part A, which focuses on first-time employees, Rs 1.78 crore has been disbursed in incentives within the Union Territory.
These figures were officially provided by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in response to a parliamentary question regarding the implementation status of the PM-VBRY. The data reflects the scheme’s progress up to June 2026.
Nationwide, the PM-VBRY has been instrumental in disbursing Rs 744.58 crore to 13.18 lakh first-time employees under Part A. Under Part B, beneficiary establishments have collectively received Rs 2,068.84 crore, supporting an additional 67,369 jobs.
The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, approved by the Union Cabinet on July 1, 2025, operates as an Employment Linked Incentive scheme. Its primary objectives include stimulating job creation, enhancing the employability of the workforce, and strengthening the social security framework, with a particular focus on the manufacturing sector and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The scheme boasts a substantial budgetary outlay of Rs 99,446 crore, allocated for the period spanning from 2025-26 to 2031-32. The registration window for both employers and employees is open from August 1, 2025, until July 31, 2027.
Under Part A of the PM-VBRY, eligible first-time employees are entitled to an incentive equivalent to one month’s Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) wage, capped at a maximum of Rs 15,000. This incentive is disbursed in two instalments within the employee’s first year of engagement.
Part B of the scheme offers employers an incentive of up to Rs 3,000 per month for each additional employee whose employment is sustained for a minimum of six months, for a period of two years. Manufacturing establishments that meet specific criteria may qualify for extended benefits for an additional two years.
The government has set an ambitious target to incentivise more than 3.5 crore jobs over the next two years. This includes providing incentives for approximately 1.92 crore eligible first-time employees under Part A and supporting the creation of about 2.59 crore additional jobs under Part B.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has detailed the disbursement process, stating that employee incentives are transferred directly to their bank accounts via the Aadhaar Bridge Payment System after verification of Aadhaar and bank details. Payments to establishments are routed to their PAN-linked bank accounts following requisite verification procedures.
A dedicated portal for the PM-VBRY has been established to manage scheme-related processes, facilitate real-time monitoring of beneficiaries, and track sector-wise progress. The implementation of the scheme is overseen by a steering committee, comprising representatives from various ministries and departments, alongside an internal executive committee.
Eligibility for the scheme extends to all establishments, including new and exempted entities, that are covered under the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, provided they adhere to prescribed conditions, such as regular filing of contribution returns.
The reported figures for Jammu and Kashmir indicate a participation level lower than that of several major industrial states. Maharashtra leads the country with 2,49,068 first-time beneficiaries, followed by Karnataka with 1,57,284, and Tamil Nadu with 1,52,698.
In comparison, the neighbouring Union Territory of Ladakh has recorded 31 first-time beneficiaries, with five beneficiary establishments and 31 additional jobs created under Part B of the PM-VBRY.
The Chenab Times News Desk