Amid disruptions in the Karnataka Assembly, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah proposed a resolution seeking the repeal of the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Act. This move aimed to reinstate the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in its original form. Despite opposition from BJP and JD(S), Siddaramaiah emphasized the importance of MGNREGA in providing livelihood support to rural communities.
Siddaramaiah highlighted that the MGNREGA Act, initiated in 2005, played a crucial role in ensuring financial security for impoverished rural households. He expressed concerns over the unilateral introduction of the VB-G RAM G Act by the Central government, stating that it deviates from the core principles of the federal system and adversely impacts rural residents. The Chief Minister underscored the significance of MGNREGA in tackling unemployment, migration, and promoting gender equality in wages.
The Chief Minister further argued that the new Act violates constitutional provisions safeguarding the right to life and livelihood, as well as the autonomy of Panchayats as per the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. He criticized the VB-G RAM G Act for undermining Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of Gram Swaraj and flouting constitutional articles. Siddaramaiah urged the Centre to retract the VB-G RAM G Act promptly and restore MGNREGA to its original framework.
