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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MP HC sets up judicial commission to probe water contamination in Indore
Indore (PTI): The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday set up a commission of inquiry comprising a former HC judge to probe the issue of water contamination in city's Bhagirathpura, saying the matter requires probe by an independent, credible authority and "urgent judicial scrutiny".
It also directed the commission to submit an interim report after four weeks from the date of commencement of proceedings.
A division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi constituted the commission while hearing several public interest litigations (PILs) filed simultaneously regarding the deaths of several people in Bhagirathpura due to the consumption of contaminated water.
The HC reserved the order after hearing all the parties during the day, and released it late at night.
The state government on Tuesday told the HC that the deaths of 16 people in Indore's Bhagirathpura area was possibly linked to a month-long outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The government presented an audit report of 23 deaths from the current gastroenteritis epidemic in Bhagirathpura before the bench, suggesting that 16 of these fatalities may have been linked to the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The report, prepared by a committee of five experts from the city's Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, stated that the deaths of four people in Bhagirathpura were unrelated to the outbreak, while no conclusion could be reached regarding the cause of death of three other people in the area.
During the hearing, the high court sought to know from the state government the scientific basis behind its report.
The division bench also expressed surprise at the state government's use of the term "verbal autopsy" in relation to the report, sarcastically stating that it had heard the term for the first time.
The HC expressed concern over the Bhagirathpura case, stating that the situation was "alarming," and noted that cases of people falling ill due to contaminated drinking water have also been reported in Mhow, near Indore.
In its order, the HC said the serious issue concerning contamination of the drinking water supply in Bhagirathpura area allegedly resulted in widespread health hazards to residents, including children and elderly persons.
According to the petitioners and media reports, death toll is about 30 till today, but the report depicts only 16 without any basis or record, it said.
It is averred that sewage mixing, leakage in the pipeline, and failure of civic authorities to maintain potable water standards have led to the outbreak of water-borne diseases. Photographs, medical reports, and complaints submitted to the authorities prima facie indicate a matter requiring urgent judicial scrutiny, the HC said.
"Considering the gravity of the allegation and affecting the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and the need for an independent fact-finding exercise, the Court is of the opinion that the matter requires investigation by an independent, credible authority," it said.
"Accordingly, we appoint Justice Sushil Kumar Gupta, former judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, a one-man commission of inquiry into the issues relating to water contamination in Bhagirathpura, Indore, and its impact on other areas of the city," the HC added.
As per the order, the commission shall inquire into and submit a report on the cause of contamination -- whether the drinking water supplied to Bhagirathpura was contaminated; and the source and nature of contamination (sewage ingress, industrial discharge, pipeline damage etc).
The panel will also probe the number of actual deaths of affected residents on account of contaminated water; find out the nature of disease reported and adequacy of medical response and preventive measures; suggest immediate steps required to ensure safe drinking water as well as long-term infrastructural and monitoring reforms.
It will also identify and fix responsibility upon the officers and officials found prima facie responsible for the Bhagirathpura water contamination incident, and suggest guidelines for compensation to affected residents, particularly vulnerable sections.
The commission shall have powers of a civil court for the purpose of summoning officials and witnesses; calling up records from the government department, hospitals, laboratories and civic bodies; ordering water quality testing through accredited laboratories; conducting spot inspections.
All state authorities involving district administration, Indore Municipal Corporation, public health engineering department and Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board shall extend full co-operation and provide records as sought by the commission, it said.
The state government shall provide office space, staff, and logistical support to the commission, it said.
During the hearing in the day, the state government also presented a status report to the court in this matter.
According to reports, a total of 454 patients were admitted to local hospitals during the vomiting and diarrhea outbreak, of whom 441 have been discharged after treatment, and 11 are currently hospitalised.
According to officials, due to a leak in the municipal drinking water pipeline in Bhagirathpura, sewage from a toilet was also mixed in the water.
