4 days ago
Karnataka Drought Villages to Get Jobs Under VBG-RAM-GI
Many parts of Karnataka are facing drought.
The government wants villages to offer people paid work through the VBG-RAM-GI scheme.
The work can include cleaning lakes, improving roads and helping recharge groundwater.
These projects may also help villages store more water.
Minister Eshwar B. Khandre told officials to provide jobs when villagers need them.
He also said workers should be paid within 15 days.
In Bengaluru South, much of the money owed to workers has not yet been paid.
Officials could face penalties if they deliberately delay payments.
Rural Development Minister Eshwar B. Khandre directed officials to provide VBG-RAM-GI employment based on local demand.
The directions cover drought-affected areas across Bengaluru South, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Dharwad and Bagalkot districts.
Officials were told to ensure workers receive wages within 15 days and address delays by Panchayat Development Officers.
Khandre said local works such as lake desilting, road construction and borewell recharge could encourage villagers to participate.
Bengaluru South has received ₹20 crore, but ₹1.46 crore of ₹1.86 crore in reported wages remains unpaid.
- Who
- Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre, government officials, Panchayat Development Officers and rural workers.
- What
- Officials were directed to provide VBG-RAM-GI employment according to local demand and ensure wages are paid within 15 days.
- Where
- Drought-affected taluks across Karnataka, including Bengaluru South, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Dharwad and Bagalkot districts.
- When
- The directions were issued during a review conducted by video conference; no specific date was provided.
- Why
- To provide employment during drought conditions, support village infrastructure and prevent delays in workers’ wage payments.
Key facts
- Drought-affected area
- Drought conditions are prevailing in 101 taluks across Karnataka.
- Prescribed wage
- The reported wage is ₹382.
- District coverage
- The review covered Bengaluru South, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Dharwad and Bagalkot.
- Payment deadline
- Officials were instructed to ensure workers receive wages within 15 days.
- Bengaluru South gram panchayats
- The district has 120 gram panchayats.
- Funds released
- ₹20 crore has been released to Bengaluru South district.
- Pending wages
- Of ₹1.86 crore in wages due, ₹40 lakh has been paid and ₹1.46 crore remains pending.
Quotes
Eshwar B. Khandre
Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister
“PDOs must take immediate steps to release wages. They should visit the treasury at least twice a week and ensure that payments are processed. If workers are paid on time, more people will come forward to work.”
thehansindia.com
“If people are made aware that desilting lakes will increase water storage, better roads will be built, borewells can be recharged and groundwater levels improved, they will come forward to work.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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