Bengaluru, February 4: In a heated session on Tuesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah introduced a proposal in the state assembly. The proposal calls for the repeal of the Central Government’s “Developed India-Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Act” and seeks to restore the “Mahatma Gandhi National rural employment Guarantee Act” (MGNREGA) to its original form.
Opposition parties, including the BJP and JD(S), vehemently opposed the proposal, chanting slogans against the state government.
Despite the uproar, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated, “With your (Speaker U.T. Khader’s) permission, I am presenting this proposal in the house. This assembly reaffirms its commitment to the strong foundation of Indian democracy—the Panchayati Raj system and the decentralization of power.”
He emphasized that MGNREGA has been a vital source of livelihood for rural citizens and an integral part of rural development. “This assembly takes the matter of abolishing the MGNREGA Act very seriously. The VB-G Ramji Act has been unilaterally introduced by the central government and goes against the fundamental objectives of federalism and the lives of rural people,” he added.
Siddaramaiah explained that the MGNREGA Act was introduced in 2005 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ensure financial security for poor rural families. He stated, “The aim of this scheme was to eliminate unemployment, prevent migration, ensure wage equality without gender discrimination, and strengthen decentralized governance through Panchayati Raj. It has brought about revolutionary changes.”
He further noted that the new act violates Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and livelihood, and undermines the autonomy granted to Panchayati Raj institutions under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
The Chief Minister remarked, “Through the VB-G Ramji Act, the dream of Mahatma Gandhi’s Gram Swaraj is being dismantled. There are clear violations of Articles 258 and 280. Karnataka ranks second in the country in terms of tax contributions.”
He concluded by demanding, “For all these reasons, this assembly strongly opposes the central government’s decision. Given the seriousness of the matter, the center should immediately withdraw the VB-G Ramji Act and restore MGNREGA to its original form.”
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S.C.H.