Karnataka to Hold Joint Session on Repeal of MGNREGA
Karnataka to Hold Joint Session on Repeal of MGNREGA
Karnataka plans a joint legislative session to repeal MGNREGA and restore the original rural job guarantee, amid political pressure and protests.
Karnataka is set to convene a joint legislative session in Bengaluru from Jan 22-31 to discuss repealing the VB-G RAM G Act and restoring the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in its original form. The move reflects a broader political contest over welfare schemes and rural rights, with parties keen to stake their positions ahead of elections.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said the session format was changed to meet constitutional requirements, signaling procedural hurdles as lawmakers prepare to debate a highly charged issue. The government argues that replacing MGNREGA with VB-G RAM G is intended to better align rural development with new policy goals, while opponents warn that such a shift could undermine workers’ guarantees in the countryside.
Ahead of the session, the Karnataka cabinet is expected to pass a resolution opposing the VB-G RAM G Act and calling for the restoration of MGNREGA as it exists today. Supporters frame the move as a defense of the rights of rural workers and a continuation of the social protections meant to empower women and families reliant on the scheme. Critics, however, say any delay or alteration could impede development gains and what they view as essential safeguards for the rural poor.
Observers say the session will be a litmus test for political parties as they navigate the welfare policy landscape in the run-up to elections. While the government emphasizes continuity of support for those dependent on MGNREGA, opposition voices insist on accountability and clarity about the proposed reform path. The outcome could shape the trajectory of rural welfare policy in Karnataka for years to come.
