Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday criticised the Viksit Bharat Guarantee Rojgar Ajeevika Mission (Rural) Act (VB-G RAM G), which has replaced the MGNREGA scheme. He said Mahatma Gandhi was first killed by Godse, and that abolishing MGNREGA amounts to killing Gandhi a second time.
Speaking at an event in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said MGNREGA was meant to support poor people and small farmers. He accused the Modi government of taking the decision without consulting states, calling it a sign of a dictatorial approach.
He also alleged that the BJP and the RSS oppose women and Dalits, and said scrapping MGNREGA benefits corporate interests while harming rural livelihoods. He demanded that the VB-G RAM G law be withdrawn and MGNREGA restored.
The VB-G RAM G Bill was passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha during the winter session of Parliament and became law on December 21 after receiving the President’s approval.
Siddaramaiah said MGNREGA strengthened the economy
Across India, about 12.17 crore workers are registered under the scheme, including 6.21 crore women, who make up around 53.6 per cent of the workforce. Around 17 per cent are Scheduled Caste, and 11 per cent are Scheduled Tribe workers.
In Karnataka, there are 71.18 lakh active MGNREGA workers, including 36.75 lakh women, accounting for over 51 per cent. He said the scheme helped people live with dignity and boosted the rural economy by linking farm work with guaranteed employment.
Highlighting key concerns
Siddaramaiah said the law was rushed through Parliament, introduced on December 17 and passed the next day without debate or consultation with the states.
He said it removes statutory powers from Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats.
He also said the Centre earlier paid 100 per cent of wages, but will now pay only 60 per cent, leaving states to cover the remaining 40 per cent.
He called this unconstitutional and said local bodies’ rights have been taken away.
Attack on MGNREGA is an attack on the rights of crores of laborers says Kharge
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the party has launched a nationwide ‘MGNREGA Bachao’ campaign. He said attacking the scheme is an attack on the rights of crores of workers and their constitutional protections, and demanded that the law be withdrawn and MGNREGA restored.
Courtesy : Bhaskar English
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