BJP, JD(S) welcome special session in Karnataka Assembly on VB-G RAM G
Bengaluru (PTI): The opposition BJP and its ally JD(S) on Saturday welcomed the Karnataka government's decision to convene a two-day special session of the Legislative Assembly to discuss the VB-G RAM G Act, which replaces the MGNREGA.
Addressing a joint press meet, Union Minister and JD(S) second-in-command H D Kumaraswamy and BJP state president B Y Vijayendra claimed that the Congress was "spreading misinformation" about the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajivika Mission (Gramin) Act.
"The Congress government is spreading a false narrative on VB-G RAM G. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wants to convene a special session on this, and we welcome the decision," Vijayendra said.
"We will discuss on the floor of the House what the Congress did to the country through MGNREGA during the UPA era and what PM Narendra Modi-led NDA has done in the past 11 years," he further said.
Vijayendra said that when the number of working days has been increased from 100 to 120 days, there should be accountability in the system and no wastage of money.
"When lakhs of crores of rupees have been spent on the MGNREGA, is it wrong on the part of the prime minister, the BJP, or the NDA government to ensure there is no pilferage or leakage of funds," the BJP state chief asked.
He said during the NDA tenure, more than Rs 7 lakh crore was spent on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act scheme.
Vijayendra underlined that PM's vision—also aligned with Mahatma Gandhi’s vision—is to see India emerge as a developed nation, with villages having good infrastructure and overall development.
He alleged that the Congress "never believed in schemes but believed in scams" and that because of such scams, India could not emerge as a developed nation.
"The prime minister wants to bring changes to the scheme to benefit rural people. When he wants to ensure accountability and zero corruption, the Congress is opposing it," the Shikaripura MLA said.
On his part, Kumaraswamy said the Centre has revamped MGNREGA to strengthen rural livelihoods while improving infrastructure, dismissing opposition criticism as "propaganda against a reform-driven welfare mission."
The union minister said MGNREGA has been rechristened as the VB-G RAM G to bring transparency, efficiency and long-term impact.
He added that welfare and infrastructure development must move together, as both are complementary and indispensable.
"The number of workdays has been increased from 100 to 125 days, ensuring greater income security for rural people, with the daily wage fixed at Rs 370," Kumaraswamy said.
He rejected claims that employment rights were being curtailed.
Kumaraswamy said wage payments have been mandated weekly or within 14 days, while agriculture has been protected through a provision of 60 flexible off-days during peak seasons.
He added that corruption and leakages are being checked through AI technology, GPS tracking and real-time dashboards, and that special job cards will cover single women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, transgender persons and vulnerable tribal groups.
Meanwhile, reacting to Kumaraswamy and Vijayendra's stand on MGNREGA, Siddaramaiah said the state government was prepared for discussions.
"We are ready for a debate and, if required, would even launch a major agitation," he said.
Siddaramaiah on Thursday said a special session of the state legislature would be convened soon to pass a resolution demanding the re-implementation of the MGNREGA.
The chief minister announced at a meeting of Congress legislators held at a hotel here to discuss the nationwide 'Save MGNREGA' movement organised by the AICC.
Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D K Shivakumar, along with all ministers, MLAs and members of the Legislative Council, were present at the meeting.
The Congress has demanded that the Centre scrap the newly enacted VB-G RAM G and restore the MGNREGA.
The state Cabinet decided not to accept the VB-G RAM G Act, which replaces the MGNREGA, and resolved to initiate a legal challenge against it.
"A special session of the state legislature will be called soon to pass a resolution demanding the re-implementation of the MGNREGA," Siddaramaiah was quoted as saying in a release issued by his office.
The VB-G RAM G Bill was passed in Parliament during the recently concluded winter session amid vociferous protests by the opposition.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
