The Maharashtra government has set aside Rs 6,728 crore under the employment guarantee scheme for drought-hit rural areas, a minister said. Employment Guarantee Scheme Minister Bharat Gogawale said the funds will support 375 types of public works to create local jobs and permanent village assets. The works will focus on water conservation, farm facilities and rural infrastructure. Of the total, Rs 1,145 crore is earmarked for the Amravati division, Rs 1,944 crore for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Rs 801 crore for Pune, Rs 489 crore for Konkan and Rs 119 crore for Nagpur. The Centre will contribute 60 percent of the funds and the state 40 percent. Individual-benefit works include irrigation facilities, cattle sheds, fruit orchards, borewell recharge, bamboo plantations and compost pits. Public works include pond repair, percolation tanks, earthen bunds, farm roads and market platforms. The allocation flows through the Maharashtra Employment Guarantee Scheme and the VB-G RAM G framework. The minister said the spending will strengthen drought resilience while putting wages in rural hands.