Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed the Legislative Assembly in Bengaluru on Tuesday. | Photo credit: special arrangement
Amid vociferous protests by BJP and JD(S) members, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday moved a resolution in the Assembly expressing the House’s “serious opposition” to the Viksit Bharat-Garantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) and fully restoring the earlier Mahurgmaandhi 2 National Center Act. Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005 by abolishing the new job scheme.
“To protect the right to life of the rural people of Karnataka, this House urges the Center to immediately repeal the VB-G RAM-G Act, which is not only against the federal structure and the idea of decentralization, but also takes away the power and rights of village panchayats, besides causing serious burden on the state exchequer,” read the three-page resolution moved by the chief minister.
Reiterating the Assembly’s commitment to the principles of decentralization and the panchayat raj system, which is the firm foundation of the country’s democratic system, the resolution said the House was serious about repealing MNREGA as it is the elixir of life for the rural poor, apart from being an integral part of their lives.
The resolution claimed that MGNREGA introduced in 2005 by the UPA government had brought about revolutionary changes by eliminating unemployment, stopping migration, paying wages without gender discrimination, strengthening panchayat decentralization and creating personal and community real estate in rural areas.
The new law violates the right to life and livelihood granted under Article 21 of the Constitution and also goes against the spirit of the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution, which grants autonomy to village panchayats, besides violating the purpose of Mahatma Gandhi’s gram swaraj, the resolution said.
Pointing out that the new legislation would make states share 40% of the cost of wages for 150 man-days as opposed to the earlier system where the center bore the full cost of wages, the resolution said it would affect the federal structure and violate Articles 258 and 280 of the Constitution.
Burdening the state with 40% cost of the work program at a time when the state’s share of central taxes was reduced from 4.71% in the 14th Finance Commission to 3.64% in the 15th Finance Commission was a ploy to push the economic security and development of the state into the danger zone, the resolution said.
“A new law that has usurped the powers of grama sabhas while plans are being formulated from the ivory towers of Delhi,” the resolution said.
“MGNREGA scheme envisaged construction of locally required rural properties like farm roads, sheds, threshing floor, school toilets etc. But the new scheme is indirectly benefiting contractors and corporations as it would be used in construction of major roads and highways as it was linked to Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti project. So this is a scheme that further strengthens the agenda of the rich from the poor by stealing food from the poor.”
The new system provides employment only for 10 months of the year and it is not clear as to the inclusion of all panchayats and payment of wages. Such insecurity would engross the rights of rural workers, especially women, Dalits, tribals and farmers. The resolution claims it is an effort to push rural workers into modern slavery.
Published – 03 Feb 2026 20:59 IST
