BENGALURU: Karnataka RDPR Minister Eshwar Khandre on Monday said there is no shortage of funds to implement the VB-G RAM G scheme to provide employment in rural areas. Speaking to reporters, the minister said the scheme has been implemented since July 1, and Rs 2,900 crore has been released for the first quarter.
The Union Government has released Rs 1,700 crore for the first quarter in a 60:40 ratio, while the State Government has released Rs 1200 crore, he said, and added that there are enough funds to provide employment to 5 lakh rural people every month and create 1.5 crore man-days of employment.
He said that there is an opportunity to undertake individual and community work such as construction of agricultural wells, drip irrigation, development of lake canals, check dams, etc., and clear instructions have been given to zilla panchayat CEOs and village level officials to employ everyone who asks for work. He said Rs 341 crore is available for drinking water supply in Karnataka.
The minister said Rs 117 crore has been released in advance for rural drinking water supply. In addition, the CM has announced Rs 1 crore for each Assembly constituency, and there is no shortage of funds for water supply.
To avoid any shortage of water supply in gram panchayats where the traditional water source has dried up, officials have been directed to identify an alternative water source, rent private borewells or open wells, and test water before supplying through tankers. He said that the officials should understand the plight of people and work accordingly. Only if it is necessary should borewells be drilled, he said.
