Joint session of Legislature from Jan. 22 to have special discussion on VB G RAM G

The Congress government has convened a joint session of the State Legislature from January 22, which would feature a special discussion on the repeal of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) that has been replaced by the newly-enacted Viksit Bharat- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025.

Till end of Jan. 31

The legislature session, to be held till January 31, will commence with the Governor’s address, and the rest of the business will be decided by the Speaker and the Business Advisory Committee, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil told presspersons here during the post Cabinet briefing.

“One of the resolutions of the Cabinet was to create awareness on the social and economic impact on the society that the new legislation could bring. The legislature session will have special discussion on the new legislation,” he said.

Sources said that the government has asked five Cabinet Ministers, including Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, H.K. Patil and Sharan Prakash Patil, to be present in the House during the session and coordinate Government’s strategies to attack the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) on the VB-G RAM G Act.

Why change in plans

When asked the reason for not having a two-day special session only to discuss VB-G RAM G Act as announced earlier, the Law Minister pointed out at the provisions in the Constitution. “As per Article 176 of the Constitution, the Governor should address the commencement of the legislature session after the election or at the commencement of the year. In view of this technicality, we are holding the joint session instead of a special session,” he said.

Asked if the Congress government was using it as a political tool, Mr. Patil said that the government is trying to create awareness about the impact of the new law in the interest of the State and people.

On whether the Congress government in Karnataka was the lone voice against the Bill, he said, “Six to seven States, including Punjab and Tamil Nadu, have expressed their displeasure and opposition to the new law. It is not true that we are the only voice against it.”