Five lakh man-days created under VB-G RAM G since July 1: Khandre - The HinduPublished - July 20, 2026 08:08 pm IST - BengaluruEshwar Khandre | Photo Credit: File photoRural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre on Monday said officials had been instructed to provide employment to people in their villages under the VB-G RAM G scheme to prevent migration.“Of the 178 taluks in the State that have received deficit rainfall, 60 are facing severe deficit. Instructions have been given to prioritise drinking water needs and provide employment in villages to prevent migration,” he told presspersons here.He said that since July 1, when the new employment and livelihood scheme came into force, five lakh man-days of employment had been generated, and employment had been provided to all those who sought it.“By the end of this month, 10 lakh man-days of employment will be created. A target of meeting 1.25 crore man-days every month has been set, and ₹2,900 crore for the first quarter has already been released. Everyone in rural areas with a job card will get 125 man-days of employment. There is scope to take up 318 types of works under the scheme, and there are opportunities to further expand its scope,” Mr. Khandre said.On Sunday, Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara had said that the scheme had not taken off in the State except in five or six districts and that there was a need to prevent migration by providing employment locally.The Minister said that in villages and thandas where surface water was unavailable and borewells had dried up, a decision had been taken to hire private borewells to supply water. “In extreme cases, the sinking of new borewells has also been cleared,” he said. Studies are being conducted to identify ways to ensure drinking water supply till the next monsoon if the State does not receive adequate rainfall over the next three to four months, he added.“We have released ₹117 crore to ensure there is no shortage of drinking water. Administrative approval has been granted for works worth ₹95 crore.”He also urged farmers to insure their crops.Published - July 20, 2026 08:08 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }