Scrap VB-G RAM G act, restore MGNREGA for rural job rights: CM to Centre

Siddaramaiah claims new scheme will take away right to livelihood

- NT Correspondent

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said his government demands the Centre to scrap the new VB-G RAM G act and bring back the UPA-era MGNREGA that “gave right to jobs to poor, vulnerable, women and small farmers”.

He alleged that the new legislation took away the right to livelihood, the powers of panchayats, and put an additional burden on the finances of states.

“The NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has passed a legislation called VB-G RAM G Act, which repealed MGNREGA that gave poor and vulnerable sections of the society, women and small farmers the right to demand work at their place (village). Now in the new VB-G RAMG Act, the government will notify in which Gram Panchayat the work should be taken,” Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said both the Congress party and the state government will take up the issue simultaneously and asserted, “We will have an action plan immediately in this regard”.

“The Congress along with the public, labourers and all like-minded will fight until the VB-G RAM G Act is withdrawn, like it was done in case of farm laws,” he added.