Karnataka generates record 2.04 crore person-days of rural employment since July

The increase in employment generation comes amid a rainfall deficit attributed to the El Niño effect, prompting the State to provide employment to more rural poor, Dalits, disadvantaged unskilled workers and landless labourers. | Photo Credit: File photo Karnataka has generated a record 2.04 crore person-days of employment under the VB-G RAM G scheme from July 1 to October 13, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre said on Wednesday.During the corresponding period last year, 1.71 crore person-days were generated under the then Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), he said.The increase comes amid a rainfall deficit attributed to the El Niño effect, prompting the State to provide employment to more rural poor, Dalits, disadvantaged unskilled workers and landless labourers, Mr. Khandre said.Raichur leadsRaichur, in the Kalyana Karnataka region, topped the State with 24 lakh person-days generated since July 1. Bidar followed with 21 lakh person-days, while Koppal ranked third with 18 lakh.Compared with the corresponding period last year, employment generation rose by 340% in Vijayanagara, 257% in Kalaburagi, 207% in Koppal, 175% in Ballari and 173% in Bidar, according to the Minister.The State has also issued 87,164 new job cards this year after undertaking e-KYC of existing MGNREGS job cards and organising job card melas. The initiative has helped families that would otherwise migrate in search of work find employment in their own areas, he said.Focus on rural assetsWorks taken up under the scheme include desilting of tanks, social forestry, restoration of canals, tanks and lakes, construction of cattle sheds and farm ponds, measures to prevent soil erosion on hill slopes, compost pits and rural connectivity roads.The scheme has now been expanded to cover the construction of houses under housing schemes, community halls and rural bus stands. The aim is to create durable assets and support village development, Mr. Khandre said.Under the VB-G RAM G scheme, each rural household can receive up to 125 days of employment a year. The wage is ₹382 a day, without any gender-based differentiation, enabling a household to earn up to ₹47,750 annually if it receives the full 125 days of work, he said. Published - October 14, 2026 07:09 pm IST