Hundreds of daily wage workers led by AIKKMS took part in a protest march in Dharwad on Tuesday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Hundreds of daily wage workers led by the All India Kisan Khet Majdoor Sangathan (AIKKMS) protested in Dharwad on Tuesday demanding immediate withdrawal of the Viksit Bharat-Garantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill.
In response to the call for a nationwide protest, AIKKMS members marched from Kalabhavan Ground to the Deputy Commissioner’s office and submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister and Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner.
Addressing the protesters, AIKKMS State Vice President V. Nagamhala said the new law, which replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), was an attempt by the central government to reduce the employment guarantee provided to rural households.
She argued that the new framework would centralize decision-making, reducing the role of state government and weakening the federal structure.
She further said that the project reduced the Centre’s financial contribution from 90% to 60%, shifting the remaining burden to the state governments.
AIKKMS district president Deepa Dharwad urged the central government to drop the VB-G RAM-G Act and keep the scrapped MGNREGA.
She demanded that the total number of person-days be increased to 200 per family with a daily wage of ₹600 to strengthen rural livelihoods. She said the agitation would continue unless the law was withdrawn.
District Secretary Sharanu Gonavar, committee members Ranappa Sawant, Madivalappa, Mallappa, Maruti Pujari, Siddamma, Manjunath Patil, Vijayalakshmi Nikam, Sridevi Doddmane, Hanumavva, Imam Saab and others led the protest.
Published – 27 Jan 2026 21:02 IST
