Karnataka Reports 1.56 Crore Person-Days of Employment Under VB-G RAM G Scheme Amid Severe Drought

The VB-G RAM G scheme is a rural employment guarantee programme aimed at providing livelihood security to rural households. Karnataka has generated 1.56 crore person-days of employment under the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) scheme, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister Eshwar Khandre informed the Legislative Assembly on Thursday. The State is currently facing a severe drought situation.

Responding to a special discussion on drought, BJP member V. Sunil Kumar raised concerns about the implementation of the employment scheme, stating that preparations should have been made to utilise it on a larger scale in drought-affected areas.

Intervening, Minister Khandre said that several works were being undertaken under the scheme, including the construction of farm ponds and check dams, dredging and rejuvenation of lakes, and measures aimed at improving groundwater levels. He said 318 works had been taken up under the scheme.

According to the Minister, the government has allocated ₹2,900 crore for the current quarter for the VB-G RAM G scheme, while ₹1,000 crore has already been released to districts as an advance. He said the Union and State governments were contributing ₹1,700 crore and ₹1,200 crore respectively towards the programme. He also said the State government was taking steps to ensure that people did not migrate in search of employment and was providing work locally.

Responding to criticism that adequate preparations had not been made, the Minister said the government had indeed taken steps to provide employment. He further said there had been complaints regarding the release of funds under the scheme and that the government was taking steps to address them.

During the discussion, Congress member from Aland B.R. Patil questioned BJP members as to why the governments of Gujarat and Rajasthan had hesitated to implement the scheme.

Mr. Sunil Kumar alleged that the D.K. Shivakumar-led Karnataka government had given greater priority to the real estate sector than farmers. He said, “Farmers were facing mounting debt, crop losses and other difficulties, while people in rural areas were being forced to migrate in search of employment. But the government has failed to make adequate preparations to deal with the drought.”

Mr. Kumar questioned the government’s preparedness despite forecasts of poor rainfall being available in advance. He also criticised the government for celebrating its first 100 days while several parts of the State were facing drought.

The BJP MLA also raised issues concerning ration cards, e-KYC services and delays affecting beneficiaries of various government schemes. He alleged that administrative and funding-related issues were causing difficulties for people in rural areas.

Mr. Kumar said that the Karnataka government should learn from Tamil Nadu, which has formed a specialised Expert Advisory Committee on El Niño under the Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency (TNDRRA) to monitor and prepare for climate-related risks, including potential drought stress and water scarcity.

“El Niño-related forecasts were issued in April this year, but the government was focused on political developments in New Delhi, while neighbouring Tamil Nadu had already taken steps to constitute such a committee and was working on the ground to address drought-related issues,” Mr. Kumar said.