'Raj Bhavan Chalo' to save MGNREGA: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): The Congress will hold a 'Raj Bhavan Chalo' programme on January 27 to protest against replacing the MGNREGA with VB-G RAM G, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Monday.
In order to save the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Congress leaders and workers will take out foot march in all the taluks of the state, he said.
"We should have actually carried out BJP Office Chalo as they were responsible for repealing the MGNREGA, but we are doing Raj Bhavan Chalo (March towards the Raj Bhavan)," he told reporters here.
According to him, a 'Padayatra' (foot march) of at least five km will be held in every taluk of the state. Protests will also be organised at the panchayat level.
Shivakumar said there was an attempt to destroy MGNREGA, which came as a constitutional right introduced 20 years ago by the Manmohan Singh government.
The scheme, launched in the name of Mahatma Gandhi, guaranteed the right to employment for people in rural areas, but that right has now been curtailed. Therefore, a nationwide agitation has been planned on this issue, he said.
"We are prepared to protest and pass a resolution on this issue even in the Legislative Assembly. Under the leadership of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, the agitation will continue until MGNREGA is restored," the Deputy CM said.
When asked about the resolution that would be passed, Shivakumar said, "We will demand the withdrawal of the law that seeks to destroy MGNREGA. Just as the black farm laws were withdrawn, this too must be repealed. The struggle will continue until it is withdrawn."
Shivakumar was apprehensive about the success of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajivika Mission (Gramin) VB-G RAM G, the recently passed rural employment Act.
"It is not possible to implement the new law. Speaking from my experience as a representative of rural people, its implementation is impossible. Who will provide funding for this scheme. Let the Centre provide the funds.
"Some leaders have said they are ready for a discussion. We are prepared to respond to their arguments in the House," he said.
Asked about the Governor writing to the President regarding developments in the Karnataka Assembly during his customary speech to the legislature on January 22, Shivakumar said, "I have no information about that. The Governor could have stayed till the speech was read and the national anthem was completed."
On January 22 during the joint session of the Karnataka Legislature, Thaawarchand Gehlot read just three lines from the 122-paragraph Governor's address. There were references condemning the Centre for repealing the MGNREGA and introducing VB-G RAM G in the Governor's address.
The Congress legislators protested and tried to 'gherao' the Gehlot.
Congress leaders charged that Gehlot insulted the national anthem as he did not wait for it to be played.
The opposition BJP defended the Governor saying that the ruling party insulted him and sought action against the Congress legislators.
Reacting to a question, Shivakumar said, "If the Governor did not wish to read the speech related to MGNREGA on January 22, that is his choice. There were also many other options. Reading the government-provided speech is a constitutional duty of the Governor. This has happened not only here but in other states as well."
Greeting people on the occasion of Republic Day, the Deputy CM said the Congress is working to protect the Constitution of the country.
"The reading of the Preamble of the Constitution has been made mandatory in all schools in Karnataka. Through this, our government has worked to create awareness about the Constitution among the new generation. Our government is committed at every level to safeguarding the Constitution," he said.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA and former minister S Suresh Kumar raised objections to the Congress party's proposed protest during the Karnataka Legislative Assembly session.
In a Facebook post, he pointed out that the Assembly has been convened at 10 am on Tuesday, with Question Hour followed by discussion on the Governor's address, while the Congress has announced a 'Lok Bhavan gherao (Raj Bhavan Chalo)' at 11 am from Freedom Park.
Questioning the move, he asked, "How appropriate is it for the ruling party to organise such a programme during the Assembly session itself?"
He also cited High Court directions banning road processions in Bengaluru and asked, "How appropriate is it for the party in power to violate the law?"
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KMES Institutions shine in SSLC result, continue four-decade legacy of education in rural Karkala
Karkala: KMES Institutions of Education at Kukkundooru in Karkala taluk has recorded outstanding results in the 2025-26 SSLC and PUC examinations, continuing a four-decade educational journey that began with just 22 kindergarten students and no building of its own.
The institution secured a 100 per cent result in the SSLC examinations, with all 43 students passing the examination this year.
Muhammad Arman Shahid emerged as the school topper by scoring 619 marks out of 625, securing 99 per cent and also ranking sixth at the state level. He scored full marks in Kannada, Hindi, Mathematics and Social Science.
Krithika V. Nayak secured the second position in the school with 607 marks and 97.12 per cent, while Arhan stood third with 605 marks and 96.8 per cent.
Out of the 43 students, 21 passed with distinction, 19 secured first class, two students obtained second class and one student passed in third class. Fourteen students scored above 90 per cent.
The institution also performed strongly in the PUC examinations. The Science stream recorded a 100 per cent result, with all 44 students passing, while Commerce secured a 98 per cent pass percentage.
Twelve students scored full marks in different subjects, including Mathematics.
In Commerce, Deeksha Acharya topped the college with 588 marks, while Harshitha H. Kini secured the second position with 581 marks.
In Science, Naveen B. Nayak emerged as topper with 586 marks, followed closely by Sameeksha Moily and Aifa Nidha, who both secured 585 marks.
Speaking about the achievement, High School head teacher Shrimati Patkar said the institution has always focused on supporting academically weak students through affordable education and free special classes.
“Our ambition is to provide quality education even to students who struggle in studies. The fees are very low, and free coaching classes are conducted. I have worked here for 28 years and have always found the atmosphere supportive of education,” she said.
Primary School head teacher Lolita Zeena D’Silva appreciated the dedication of the teaching staff and said the school encourages students not only to achieve high marks but also to become role models.
PU College Principal Balakrishna Rao said the institution focuses on value-based education and overall personality development.
“The aim is to help students succeed not only academically but also in cultural activities, sports and leadership. We encourage qualities such as patience, tolerance and discipline,” he said.
Rao also credited the institution’s growth to the support of founders K.S. Mohammed Masood and K.S. Nissar Ahmed, along with President K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed.
Speaking on the occasion, Imtiaz Ahmed said the institution was built on the dream of making quality education accessible to financially backward families in rural areas.
He said the guidance and encouragement of his elder brothers, Mohammed Masood and Nissar Ahmed, along with the contribution of teachers, students and parents, helped transform the institution into a model educational centre.
The KMES Institutions trace their roots back to 1984, when they were founded by senior social activists Haji P.M. Khan, K.S. Nazeer Ahmed and Haji A.S. Rashid Haider.
The institution initially functioned from the Government Urdu School premises as it did not have a building of its own. Classes began with only 22 students in lower kindergarten and two teachers.
Later, under the leadership of K.S. Mohammed Masood and with continuous financial and moral support from non-resident businessman K.S. Nissar Ahmed, the institution gradually expanded.
In 1993, the school shifted to its own building and began conducting classes from LKG to Class 5.
As student admissions increased, Nissar Ahmed personally funded the construction of three additional classrooms to address infrastructure shortages.
The institution’s new school building was completed in 1997, while the PU College building was constructed in 2001.
From humble beginnings in a borrowed building to producing state-level rank holders and consistent academic results, the KMES Institutions have grown into one of the prominent educational centres in the Karkala region.
