Updated On: 05 Aug 2026
BENGALURU: Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday directed officials to issue standard operating procedures (SOPs), along with administrative and technical guidelines, to all gram panchayats for the effective implementation of the VB-G RAM G scheme.
The minister said the move was aimed at ensuring smooth implementation of the scheme and generating maximum rural employment in view of the deficient rainfall.
In a written communication to the department’s secretary, Khandre said the State government had introduced the VB-G RAM G scheme as a replacement for MGNREGA despite financial constraints, with the objective of protecting the interests of the rural poor and other disadvantaged sections.
He instructed officials to circulate SOPs, technical specifications and administrative guidelines to all gram panchayats to facilitate large-scale employment generation and the creation of durable, high-quality rural assets.
Khandre noted that several Panchayat Development Officers had reported difficulties in implementing the scheme due to the absence of clear operational guidelines.
He directed the department to issue comprehensive implementation guidelines covering standard operating procedures, technical and administrative processes, model estimates, approved works, expenditure limits, the 60:40 wage-to-material ratio, operation of the Yuktdhara web-based geospatial planning portal, accountability mechanisms and action plan formats.
The minister said that although no Chief Executive Officer of any Zilla Panchayat had raised implementation concerns during a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, confusion continued at the field level and needed to be resolved immediately.
Highlighting the need to expand employment opportunities amid the rainfall deficit, Khandre said the scheme’s objective would be defeated if adequate work was not provided to the rural poor, marginalised communities, persons with disabilities, women and Dalits.
He also directed officials to include details of the 318 approved works under the VB-G RAM G scheme, along with model designs, schedule of rates, technical notes and standard specifications, in the implementation guidelines and ensure their strict enforcement across the state.
Khandre further instructed officials to conduct intensive door-to-door awareness campaigns to educate rural households about the individual and community works available under the scheme.
The minister said the government aims to provide employment to at least five lakh people every day, generate a minimum of 1.5 crore person-days of work every month and create durable, high-quality rural assets across Karnataka.
