The Karnataka state cabinet, in a significant move on Thursday, decided to mount a dual challenge against the central government's decision to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The cabinet resolved to pursue legal action and organise a statewide protest rally against the newly enacted Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Grameen (VB-G RAM G) Act.
Legal Recourse and Federal Fight
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil announced the government's plan to consult Advocate General K Shashi Kiran Shetty to determine whether to file a petition in the High Court or the Supreme Court. The cabinet's core contention is that repealing MGNREGA infringes upon the fundamental right to work. "We will wage a legal battle against it. We will also take it to the people's court," Patil stated emphatically.
He further revealed that Karnataka intends to reach out to other states, urging them to join the legal challenge, framing it as a collective fight for federal rights. A major point of conflict highlighted by the minister is the alleged unilateral increase in the states' financial contribution for the scheme from 10% to 40%, done without consultation. Patil warned this would have serious financial implications for the state exchequer.
Alleged Aberrations in the New Law
The official cabinet resolution strongly criticises the VB-G RAM G Act. It labels the legislation a "serious aberration of social and economic rights of rural people." The resolution outlines two primary concerns:
- The central government will solely notify the areas where work is available.
- The wage rate will be fixed by the Centre, with no guarantee it will match the minimum wages set by state governments.
Patil accused the Centre of completely ignoring the wellbeing of rural populations. He argued that while the new law increases guaranteed work days from 100 to 125, this guarantee is hollow because the Centre retains absolute power to decide where and when work is provided.
Erosion of Panchayat Power and 'Gram Swaraj'
A central pillar of the Karnataka government's opposition is the perceived erosion of powers granted to local panchayat bodies. Under MGNREGA, panchayats were instrumental in planning and creating local assets. Minister Patil termed the new VB-G RAM G Act "draconian," alleging it empowers private contractors to assign work, even on projects like national highways, thereby sidelining elected local governments.
The cabinet resolution states that the Act, formulated without consulting states, defeats the constitutional spirit of ‘Gram Swaraj’ or village self-governance. Separately, responding to queries about delayed panchayat elections, Patil assured that steps are being taken to hold polls at the earliest and a decision on approaching the Supreme Court on this matter would be made within a couple of days.
