Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Karnataka Directs SOPs for VB-G RAM G Rural Employment Scheme
The government of Karnataka wants to help people in villages find work.
It has started a new program called VB-G RAM G. This program replaces an older one called MGNREGA.
The minister in charge, Eshwar Khandre, asked officials to write clear rules for the program.
Some village officers were confused because they did not know exactly how the program works.
The new rules will explain wages, materials, and approved projects.
The government wants to give jobs to at least five lakh people every day.
It also wants to build strong roads and other useful things in villages.
Officials will visit homes to tell families about available work.
The program is meant to help poor families, women, Dalits, and people with disabilities.
Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre directed officials to immediately issue SOPs and detailed implementation guidelines for the VB-G RAM G scheme to all Gram Panchayats.
The VB-G RAM G scheme replaces MGNREGA and was introduced despite financial constraints to safeguard the interests of the rural poor, deprived and vulnerable sections.
Guidelines will cover specifications for all 318 approved works, model designs, Bills of Quantities, schedule of rates, technical notes, expenditure limits and the mandatory 60:40 wage-to-material ratio.
The government aims to generate at least five lakh person-days of employment every day, amounting to 1.5 crore person-days every month, while creating durable rural assets.
Officials were directed to run door-to-door interpersonal communication (IPC) awareness campaigns because confusion persists at the field level, even though no Zilla Panchayat CEO raised concerns in a Chief Secretary-chaired meeting.
The minister said the scheme would lose its purpose if it failed to provide adequate employment amid the rainfall deficit to farmers, rural labourers, women, Scheduled Castes, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable communities.
- Who
- Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre and state department officials
- What
- Directed the immediate issuance of SOPs, technical specifications and implementation guidelines for the VB-G RAM G rural employment scheme
- When
- Wednesday
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Why
- To boost rural employment amid the rainfall deficit and safeguard the interests of the poor, deprived and vulnerable sections
State government's position
Field officials' concerns
Readiness of the VB-G RAM G rollout
State government's position
The state government says the scheme safeguards the interests of the poor and disadvantaged despite financial constraints, and that clear SOPs and guidelines issued by the end of the week will ensure effective, strictly enforced implementation across the state.
Field officials' concerns
Some Panchayat Development Officers reported difficulties implementing the scheme due to the absence of clear operational guidelines, and confusion persists at the field level that the minister says must be addressed immediately.
- Scheme
- VB-G RAM G
- Replaces
- MGNREGA
- Approved works
- 318
- Wage-to-material ratio
- 60:40
- Daily employment target
- At least 5 lakh person-days
- Monthly employment target
- 1.5 crore person-days
- Target beneficiaries
- Rural poor, marginalised communities, farmers, rural labourers, women, Scheduled Castes, persons with disabilities, Dalits
- Planning portal
- Yuktdhara web-based geospatial planning portal
