Scrap VB-G RAM G Act, restore MGNREGA: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says new law curbs right to work, panchayat powers

BENGALURU: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said his government has demanded that the Centre scrap the newly enacted Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act and restore the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which he said guaranteed the right to work for the poor, vulnerable sections, women and small farmers. He alleged that the new legislation undermines the right to livelihood, curtails the powers of panchayats and imposes an additional financial burden on 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 "The NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has passed a legislation called VB-G RAM G Act which repealed MGNREGA that gave poor and vulnerable sections of the society, women and small farmers to demand work at their place (village). Now in the new VB-G RAM G Act, the government will notify in which Gram Panchayat the work should be taken," Siddaramaiah said tonews agency PTI. Speaking to reporters, the chief minister said both the Congress party and the Karnataka government would take up the issue simultaneously and asserted that an action plan would be rolled out immediately. "We will have an action plan immediately in this regard," he said. "The Congress along with the public, labourers and all like-minded will fight until the VB-G RAM G Act is withdrawn, like it was done in case of farm laws," he added. Explaining the impact of the new law, Siddaramaiah said, "The Modi government has done three things with the VB-G RAM G Act. It has taken away the right to livelihood of the vulnerable sections of the society, particularly women, poor and small farmers. It has taken away the powers of Panchayat, and it has also added additional financial burden to the states without any consultation. They have not consulted the people either." The chief minister reiterated that the state government urges the Centre to scrap the VB-G RAM G Act and restore MGNREGA. "We also urge to restore people's right to work, and restore the rights of panchayats to self-govern," he said.