HK Patil | Photo credit: file photo
In a decision that could lead to another confrontation with the Centre, the Karnataka government on Thursday decided to approach the Supreme Court seeking permission to formulate and implement an action plan for this year under the now-defunct Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) of 2005.
The Center replaced MGNREGA with the Viksit Bharat-Garantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025.
“We are already in May and the Center is yet to announce the new law, framework rules and regulations. The Center has not provided any alternative. It has provided advice on storage and availability of water due to climate change and yet the law has not been informed. Therefore, we will immediately approach the court,” Minister for Law and Parliament HK Patil told reporters during a post-cabinet briefing on Thursday.
He is waiting for work
He also said that the Center has asked the states to go ahead and complete the ongoing works under MGNREGA though the money has not been allocated. The Center should have consulted the state government when the new law was formulated, he added.
Mr. Patil said that while the state government would seek the court’s permission to formulate an action plan for this year, the government would also point to “curtailment of constitutional right” under the new law.
“We will challenge the trampling of the state government’s constitutional right to exercise the right to livelihood in favor of poor farmers, agricultural laborers and labourers.”
Asked if the state government expected financial support from the Center under MGNREGA, Mr Patil said, “When the Center asked us to continue the unfinished work under MGNREGA, it means the law is still in practice. It means everything that was part of the law will continue.”
The minister pointed out that the Congress government had tried to put political pressure on the Center against the new law replacing MGNREGA by passing a resolution and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has also met the Union government on the issue, he added.
Published – 07 May 2026 22:45 IST
