BENGALURU
In response to a severe rainfall deficit affecting 178 taluks across Karnataka, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has instructed local bodies to prioritize drinking water supplies and expand rural employment. With 60 taluks facing severe drought conditions, the state government released 117 crore rupees in advance to prevent water shortages, alongside granting administrative approvals for additional rural relief works worth 95 crore rupees.
To tackle widespread rural distress, the government is ramping up work generation under the newly launched Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G) scheme. Despite the shift in funding ratios placing a higher financial share on state governments, Karnataka has already generated five lakh man-days of employment since July 1. Officials aim to scale up production to create over 10 lakh man-days by the end of the month, targeting an average of 1.25 crore man-days monthly to support rural families.
Under the updated scheme regulations, all eligible rural cardholders are entitled to up to 125 days of guaranteed wage employment. Permitted projects include constructing school rooms, health centres, agricultural wells, distribution canals, drip irrigation, and small forests.
Minister Khandre urged farmers and landless labourers to utilize available community services to apply for jobs and enroll in crop insurance. Reassuring vulnerable agricultural communities, he emphasized that the government stands firmly with farmers, declaring that employment generation will remain active across all Gram Panchayats.