Bihar Offers 125 Days of Work to Labourers in 38 Flood- and Drought-Hit Districts

Bihar has launched an initiative to provide employment to unskilled workers in 22 flood-affected districts and 16 drought-hit districts under the Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Scheme, as natural disasters and reduced agricultural activity have affected livelihood opportunities across the state.

The Rural Development Department has initiated the process of providing work to people in areas affected by floods and drought. The move is aimed at creating employment opportunities for workers whose livelihoods have been affected by damaged infrastructure, poor rainfall and declining demand for agricultural labour.

According to the departmental order, 22 districts were severely affected by floods this year. These are Arwal, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Buxar, Darbhanga, Gopalganj, Katihar, Khagaria, Lakhisarai, Madhepura, Munger, Muzaffarpur, West Champaran, Patna, East Champaran, Purnia, Saharsa, Samastipur, Saran, Supaul and Vaishali. Flooding has severely damaged roads in these districts, creating an urgent need for repairs at various locations.

Meanwhile, 16 districts experienced drought conditions because rainfall remained below normal this year. These districts are Araria, Aurangabad, Banka, Gaya Ji, Jamui, Jehanabad, Kaimur, Kishanganj, Madhubani, Nalanda, Nawada, Rohtas, Sheikhpura, Sheohar, Sitamarhi and Siwan.

The drought conditions in these areas damaged the rabi crop, significantly reducing demand for agricultural labourers and affecting their employment prospects.

According to Rural Development Department officials, several locations across the 22 flood-affected districts require repairs. Employment opportunities are also needed for workers in view of the festive season. Construction activities had been suspended between October 22 and December 10 to ensure that agricultural work was not affected. However, in view of the disaster situation in the state, the restrictions have now been lifted.

The Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Scheme was launched across the country on July 1, 2026. Under the scheme, the Central Government bears 60% of the expenditure, while the state government contributes the remaining 40%.

Considering the disaster situation in Bihar, restrictions imposed on agricultural activities have been lifted to enable people to access employment under the employment guarantee programme. The scheme provides a guarantee of 125 days of wage employment.

In Bihar, the daily wage rate under the Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Scheme has been fixed at Rs 300. The scheme's 125-day employment guarantee is intended to provide wage opportunities to eligible workers in affected areas.

Workers who do not have a Viksit Bharat–G RAM G job card will not be able to obtain work under the scheme. Those seeking employment can apply for a card at their nearest Gram Panchayat office. The process is similar to the one previously followed for issuing MGNREGA job cards.

Applicants are required to carry their Aadhaar card, ration card, bank passbook, passport-sized photograph and mobile number. The job card is issued within 15 days of verification.

The initiative is intended to provide employment opportunities to workers across Bihar's flood- and drought-affected districts, while also enabling repair work in damaged areas and offering wage support to households facing reduced agricultural employment.