BENGALURU — Both the Houses of the Karnataka legislature on Wednesday passed the resolution condemning the Centre’s move to bring the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act and demanding restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in its original form amid the stiff opposition from the members of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular).
However, the BJP stated that passing a resolution against the VB-G RAM G Act in the Legislative Assembly itself is illegal.
The members of the opposition parties staged a walkout, condemning the resolution. The resolution was put to vote by the Speaker U.T. Khader and the Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, respectively at the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council and declared that the resolution opposing VB-G RAM G has been accepted by the respective Houses as the votes were in favour of the ruling Congress government.
After the resolution was adopted, the proceedings were adjourned by both Houses sine die.
Earlier, speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister Priyank Kharge said that senior BJP leader L.K. Advani had praised the NREGA scheme. He questioned what exactly is contained in the newly introduced VB-G RAM G Act. The BJP leaders themselves do not know about the VB-G RAM G Act.
BJP MP Varun Gandhi had raised questions in the Lok Sabha about the lives of workers, to which the Central government had replied that the system was transparent. However, the Central government has now changed the very MGNREGA Act, Minister Priyank Kharge charged.
Speaking to reporters, the Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, stated, ‘VB-G RAM G’ Act is transparent, and opposition is being voiced because it has become difficult for Congress agents to carry out illegal activities under it. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has brought this decision in violation of rules, and we oppose it, he stressed.
Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, speaking on the resolution in the Assembly, stated, “There was no discussion with the States before implementing the Act. Discussions should have been held before introducing the 60:40 funding ratio.”
“Manusmriti states that women, Adivasis and small farmers should not be economically empowered. According to the Manusmriti, if Shudras gain economic power, they will no longer remain as servants; the new act is brought under the influence of this ideology. The VB-G RAM G Act must be completely withdrawn. The MGNREGA scheme must be restored. The people’s right to employment must be re-established, and the powers of the panchayats must be restored. Our demand is that a minimum wage of Rs 400 be provided across the country,” CM Siddaramaiah underlined.
“The name of Mahatma Gandhi should not be removed, and he should not be insulted again. This appeal will be sent to the Central government and the President,” Siddaramaiah added. — With inputs from IANS
