Karnataka CM demands re-implementation of MGNREGA, abolition of VB -G RAM G

Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on February 23 urged the Centre to abolish the newly-enacted Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevik Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, and re-implement the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Asking the Centre to re-establish the right to employment and right to self-governance for gram panchayats, the Chief Minister said that the Centre should declare a uniform minimum wage of ₹400 per day for rural employment. The demand by the Chief Minister came at the MGNREGA Bachao Andolon organized by the Congress at Chikkaballapur, near Bengaluru, on February 23. “Until the demands are met, our andolan will not stop. It will continue like the protest of the farmers, who fought against the three farm laws (introduced by the BJP government),” he added.

Appealing to people to participate in the andolan, Mr. Siddaramaiah said 12.16 crore workers were receiving employment under MGNREGA of which 53% were women, 17% scheduled castes, and 11% scheduled tribes. “The Centre has snatched away the right of employment of workers. Now, contractors, who were not in MGNREGA, are indirectly part of VB -G RAM G, panchayats have lost autonomy to decide on work to be undertaken, and employment will not be available throughout the year. The Narendra Modi government has been weakening welfare legislations implemented by UPA government, and has completely scrapped MGNREGA.”

The Congress General Secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala accused the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) of hitting hard the poor people, farmers and workers. “We have to ask BJP and JD(S) as to why MGNREGA, on which 11 crore families were dependent, has been finished off, and their livelihood and employment have been snatched. The BJP and JD(S) are snatching food, and money from your pocket.”

Stating that the Congress government had implemented guarantee schemes in Karnataka when income was going down and prices were rising, the Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that the Congress will not allow MGNREGA to be destroyed. “Like the way attempts are being made to snatch voting rights, food and livelihood are being snatched. One who fights will win, and there will be no fear of losing. When attempts are being made to remove the name of Mahatma Gandhi, we have decided to affix every gram panchayat with the name of Mahatma Gandhi.”