The ruling Congress party in Karnataka plans a protest march named ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ to oppose the abolition of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced this decision following Republic Day celebrations in Bengaluru.
Shivakumar expressed shock over the elimination of MGNREGA, emphasizing its importance as the Right to Work. He highlighted the state’s annual expenditure of approximately Rs 6,000 crore on MGNREGA for rural development and job creation. The protest will include padyatras of at least five km in every taluk.
The protest will be accompanied by demonstrations at the Vidhana Soudha, with plans to introduce a resolution in the state legislature for discussion on the issue. Shivakumar criticized the proposed ‘Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)’ (VB-G RAM G) scheme, stating it contradicts the essence of MGNREGA. The Congress aims to continue its agitation until the decision is reversed.
