N.K. Premachandran, MP, has called for an end to the operational hurdles faced by Viksit Bharat — Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-GRAM G) workers due to geofencing and geotagging systems.

Speaking at the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) review meeting for Central schemes, he urged authorities to reduce the designated area boundaries for marking attendance through the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app, ensuring smooth and hassle-free operation for labourers. Following the discussion, the DISHA panel unanimously passed a resolution directing both the Central and State governments to implement these changes immediately.

The review meeting also highlighted key financial updates regarding rural employment and sanitation initiatives in the district. Arrears amounting to ₹18.6 crore under the material component and ₹56 crore in wage dues for VB-GRAM G workers have been fully released. Additionally, the district has received its pending central funds allocated for the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Significant progress in healthcare infrastructure was formally reported during the session. Under the National Health Mission (NHM), approval has been granted to establish Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across multiple locations, including Kottara, Nedumonkavu, Parangode, Ittiva Main Centre, Kunnathur, Vettikkavala, Vilakkupara, Mankode Main Centre, and Kummil. Furthermore, ₹55.5 lakh each has been sanctioned under the 15th Finance Commission recommendations to construct new buildings for 18 sub-centers across the district. A total of 28 healthcare facilities — comprising two district hospitals, two taluk hospitals, 16 primary health centres, one community health centre, two public health centres, and four urban family health centres — were awarded the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification.

In urban housing, the committee decided to petition the Union Government for an extension of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) deadline, as 469 housing units remain to be completed in the district. The meeting was attended by Kollam Mayor A.K. Hafeez alongside MLAs M.M. Naseer and Vishnu Mohan.

The Panchayat Raj and Rural Development department is gearing up to mitigate the impact of the anticipated El Nino conditions by strengthening water conservation initiatives, improving groundwater resources and creating enhanced employment opportunities for job card holders under the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission-Gramin (VB G RAM G).

According to official sources, the department will take up the construction of 9.60 lakh soak pits, 25,000 farm ponds, 5,000 percolation tanks and 5,000 borewell recharge structures as part of large-scale water conservation works over the next three months under the “Telangana Jalasiri” programme. The construction of buildings for gram panchayats (GPs), village organisations (VOs) and Anganwadi centres will also be expedited.

Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Danasari Anasuya said programmes would also be organised in all districts on Monday (July 20) to create awareness among people about the adverse impact of El Nino.

On the other hand, the department has set a target of generating 12 crore person-days of employment during the current financial year ending March 31, 2027. “Of this, 4.5 crore person-days are planned between July and October, considering the dry spell conditions that are likely to affect agricultural operations. While nearly 2.5 lakh labourers are currently being provided work every day, we have directed officials to increase the number to about five lakh daily,” she said after holding a review meeting with senior officials of the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development department on Sunday (July 19). She added that the person-day target would be increased if the El Nino conditions worsened.

“Priority is being given to women members of self-help groups (SHGs) who own agricultural land for the construction of farm ponds,” the Minister said.

The action plan has been prepared against the backdrop of forecasts indicating a decline in groundwater levels due to below-normal rainfall. The State’s average groundwater level stood at 9.46 metres below ground level (mbgl) in June 2026 and is projected to decline to 10.35 mbgl in July and 11.01 mbgl in August if the State records an overall rainfall deficit of around 30%. The highest fall in groundwater levels are expected in districts such as Vikarabad, Medak, Sangareddy, Nizamabad, Siddipet and Kamareddy.

Members of the All Types of Differently Abled Persons and Caregivers Rights Association staged a copy-burning protest outside the Collectorate here on Wednesday (July 1, 2026), opposing the Union government’s move to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) as the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAM G).

Wearing black badges, the protesters alleged that the proposed legislation would dilute the legal guarantee of employment under MGNREGS and adversely affect persons with disabilities by undermining their right to livelihood guaranteed under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

They further alleged that the proposed funding pattern, under which the Union government would bear 60% of the scheme’s cost and the remaining 40% by the State government, would increase the financial burden on States and affect the implementation of the employment guarantee programme. They also claimed that inadequate budgetary allocations would make the proposed 125 days of employment unviable.

Demanding that the proposed legislation be withdrawn, the protesters urged the Union government to continue implementing MGNREGS in its present form. Police personnel prevented the protesters from burning copies of the Act. When some of them attempted to stage a road blockade, they were removed from the spot.