Karnataka Government Plans Special Cabinet Meeting on MNREGA Replacement
The Karnataka government will hold a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday. This meeting aims to decide whether to call a special two-day session of the state legislature. The session would debate the Centre's new Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, known as G-RAM-G.
New Act Replaces Popular MNREGA Scheme
The G-RAM-G Act will replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, or MNREGA. This change has sparked significant controversy in Karnataka. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar addressed a preparatory meeting for an agitation titled 'Save Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Scheme' on Tuesday.
Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress president, stated that the cabinet will discuss reinstating MNREGA. He said they will examine what he described as "drawbacks" in the Centre's new law. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah participated in the same meeting. He urged party workers to intensify their protests until MNREGA is restored and the G-RAM-G Act is repealed.
Protests Planned Across Karnataka
Shivakumar instructed party workers to organize demonstrations in all district and taluk centers from January 26 to February 7. He emphasized that the movement should extend from village to state level. Party workers should sustain the struggle, similar to the farmers' agitation in north India.
On January 26, padayatras covering five to ten kilometers will be organized in all assembly seats. Gram panchayat members, party functionaries, MLAs, and ministers will participate. Memoranda seeking the reimplementation of MNREGA will be submitted at taluk offices.
"I will personally participate in marches in five places, including one in Shikaripura in Shivamogga," Shivakumar announced.
Financial Burden and Political Allegations
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighted a key financial concern. Under the G-RAM-G Act, states must bear forty percent of the cost. For Karnataka, this means spending around Rs 2,500 crore. He stated this is the reason for the 'MNREGA Bachao' movement, which should now transform into a people's movement.
Siddaramaiah noted that more than twelve crore workers across India are employed under MNREGA. This includes over six point two crore women. He made strong political allegations against the Centre.
"The Centre is allergic to the name Mahatma Gandhi," Siddaramaiah alleged. He claimed they replaced it with Ram. "This is not Dasharath Ram or Sita Ram, or Kausalya Ram. This is Nathuram who killed Mahatma Gandhi. They are killing Gandhi again," he said.
Deputy CM Shivakumar echoed these sentiments. He argued that even BJP-governed states would find it difficult to implement G-RAM-G due to the financial burden. "BJP killed Gandhi and now they have killed his name," Shivakumar stated. "They have lost the right to protest in front of Gandhi's statue. They have lost the right to even mention Gandhi's name."
The upcoming cabinet meeting and potential legislative session set the stage for a major political confrontation in Karnataka over rural employment guarantees.
