The Karnataka government, led by the Congress, has taken a firm stand against the central government's new rural employment law. On Thursday, January 8, the state cabinet announced its decision to legally challenge the recently enacted Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, and to not implement it within the state.
Constitutional Concerns and Legal Battle
Karnataka's Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, HK Patil, declared the cabinet's unanimous resolution. The state will file a case in court against the VB-G RAM G Act. Minister Patil stated that the new legislation "tramples upon the legitimate rights of Panchayats" as guaranteed by the Indian Constitution and goes against the spirit of the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments.
The cabinet's official note on the subject argues that the Act violates the fundamental right to work and livelihood protected under Article 21 of the Constitution. It further contends that the law compromises the bottom-up planning approach, which is essential for addressing local needs and empowering grassroots democracy.
Political Backlash and "People's Court"
In a significant political move, the Karnataka cabinet also decided to approach the "people's court" regarding the central government's move to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). This indicates a plan to mobilize public opinion and make it a major political issue in the state.
This stance found a strong echo in Telangana. Earlier on the same day, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy launched a scathing attack on the central government. He accused the administration of replacing MGNREGA with the VB-G RAM G Act to ensure a supply of cheap labour for large corporate houses.
Labeling the Act a "conspiracy of corporate companies," CM Reddy claimed that big industrialists were facing a labour shortage. He argued that abolishing MGNREGA would force the rural poor to migrate to cities again, providing a workforce for corporations. He drew a sharp historical parallel, alleging the move was akin to creating bonded labour, similar to the era of the British East India Company.
The Central Government's Defence and Path Ahead
The VB-G RAM G Bill was signed into law by President Droupadi Murmu, making it an Act. Defending the scheme, BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal had highlighted key benefits:
- Increasing guaranteed employment days from 100 to 125 per year.
- Integrating the Livelihood Mission to create opportunities in new sectors.
- Providing flexibility by suspending the scheme for 1-2 months during critical agricultural periods like sowing and harvesting to address farmers' labour needs.
Jaiswal asserted that these changes were positive and that the law served the best interests of those seeking employment. However, the opposition from two major southern states sets the stage for a significant legal and political confrontation over the future of India's rural employment guarantee framework.
