Karnataka’s Drought Response: 16,460 VB-G RAM G Works Generate 65.1 Lakh Person-Days

Karnataka has intensified its rural employment and drought-relief response amid a severe monsoon deficit, taking up 16,460 works under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission–Gramin (VB-G RAM G) since July 1 and generating 65.1 lakh person-days of employment, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said in the Legislative Council. The programme is being used to support rural livelihoods and prevent distress migration as the state battles its lowest June 1-August 24 rainfall in 50 years.

Karnataka received just 454 mm of rainfall against the expected 654 mm, resulting in a 31% deficit. The shortage stands at 31% in North Interior Karnataka, 41% in South Interior Karnataka, 35% in Malnad and 26% in coastal Karnataka. Of the state's 240 taluks, 175 have rainfall deficits, including 14 with severe deficits. Weather agencies cited by Parameshwara expect deficient rainfall to continue through August and September.

The crisis is already affecting agriculture. As of August 14, only 60 lakh hectares had been sown against the 84.10 lakh-hectare target, while horticulture sowing covered 2.45 lakh hectares against 4.36 lakh hectares. Even sown crops are showing poor growth. Farmers have been advised to use short-duration, drought-tolerant varieties, with seeds distributed by the government.

The water situation is equally concerning. Groundwater is under severe stress in 132 taluks, while the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam holds only 61% of capacity. Drinking water is being supplied by 149 tankers to 758 villages, with 714 private borewells hired. Urban tanker supplies cover 114 wards across 18 local bodies. The state has released ₹306 crore for drinking water, while ₹25 crore has been allocated for fodder-seed kits. Karnataka has 152 lakh tonnes of fodder, sufficient for 33 weeks, though supplies fall to 25 weeks in 44 taluks and 20 weeks in 17 taluks.

The employment response assumes added significance because VB-G RAM G, which replaced MGNREGA from July 1, increased the rural employment guarantee from 100 to 125 days and prioritises water, infrastructure, livelihood and climate-resilience works. Karnataka had targeted about 1.25 crore person-days a month under the programme.

Meanwhile, ground-truthing has been completed in 102 eligible taluks, with drought declarations expected after Cabinet consideration and a memorandum likely to be sent to the Centre. Karnataka is also seeking relaxation of the 2020 Drought Manual guidelines.

Adding another layer to the response, the state plans 60 days of cloud seeding from September across all four revenue divisions at an estimated cost of about ₹27 crore. With rainfall, agriculture, water and rural incomes under pressure, the 16,460 VB-G RAM G works have become a key frontline measure in Karnataka's effort to contain the wider social and economic impact of drought.