Karnataka Assembly Passes Resolution Against Central Government's MGNREGA Cancellation
Karnataka Government's Opposition to MGNREGA Cancellation
On Wednesday, the Karnataka government expressed its dissent against the central government's decision to revoke the MGNREGA scheme, opting instead for the implementation of the VB-G Ramji Act. In response, members from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) staged a walkout from both the assembly and the legislative council. The resolution was passed in the 75-member upper house, where no opposition members were present due to their official boycott of the proceedings.
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Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil, along with Rural Development and Public Relations Minister Priyank Kharge and K. Shiv Kumar, emphasized that this bill imposes a 40% burden on states, limits employment guarantees, and grants the central government excessive powers in determining the types of tasks, funding, and implementation areas, thereby undermining federalism.
Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader and Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti conducted the voting on the resolution in their respective houses, announcing that the proposal opposing the VB-G Ramji Act was passed, as the vote favored the ruling Congress government. Following the resolution's passage, both houses adjourned indefinitely.
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Earlier in the assembly, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge remarked that senior BJP leader L.K. Advani had praised the NREGA scheme. He questioned what exactly the newly formed VB-G Ramji Act entails, suggesting that even BJP leaders lack clarity on the matter. Opposition leader R. Ashok stated to reporters that the 'VB-G Ramji' Act is transparent and is being opposed because it has made illegal activities by Congress agents more challenging. He insisted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made this decision in violation of regulations, and they stand against it.