NEW DELHI, Aug. 27 -- The Centre has asked states to use the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G) to prioritise water conservation and drought-mitigation works, as it looks to use the rural employment programme to accelerate water related works.

The rural development ministry told the states and Union Territories at a recent meeting to prioritise water harvesting, groundwater recharge, irrigation, watershed development and other natural resource management works, particularly in rainfall-deficient districts. It has also shared with states lists of districts reporting deficient rainfall and those considered vulnerable to El Nino, asking them to tailor works to local conditions.

The nudge comes at a ...