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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Woman shot dead in Delhi; police suspect link to 2023 murder of her husband
New Delhi (PTI): A 44-year-old woman was shot dead at point-blank range in northwest Delhi's Shalimar Bagh on Saturday, with police suspecting the killing to be a fallout of the 2023 murder of her husband, an official said.
The deceased was identified as Rachna Yadav, a resident of Shalimar Bagh and the resident welfare association (RWA) president of her locality. According to police, she was shot in the head and died on the spot.
Police said Rachna was originally from Bhalswa village in north-west Delhi. Investigators suspect that the murder is linked to the killing of her husband, Vijendra Yadav, who was shot dead in 2023. The case concerning that murder is currently under trial.
"In the 2023 case, Vijendra Yadav was allegedly murdered due to previous enmity. Bharat Yadav and five others were named as accused. While five of the accused were arrested and are facing trial, the main accused, Bharat Yadav, is still absconding and has been declared a proclaimed offender," a senior police officer said.
Police said Rachna was the main witness in her husband's murder case, and her testimony was considered vital for the prosecution. Investigators believe her killing may have been aimed at weakening the case and intimidating other witnesses.
CCTV footage has surfaced in the Rachna Yadav murder case, clearly capturing the accused who allegedly shot her. Police said the assailant's accomplice was already waiting nearby on a sports bike bearing a Delhi registration number, facilitating a swift escape, according to an official.
Police said a PCR call was received at around 10.59 am at Shalimar Bagh police station, reporting that a woman had been shot.
Local police teams rushed to the spot and found Rachna lying on the road in a pool of blood. An empty cartridge was recovered from the scene, officials said.
According to the investigation, when Rachna was returning after meeting a neighbour, two assailants intercepted her. One of them allegedly stopped her and asked her name. When she identified herself, the attacker pulled out a firearm and shot her in the head before fleeing the spot along with his accomplice, police said.
Preliminary inquiry suggested that the woman was targeted, and the assailants appeared to have prior knowledge about her identity and movements.
"Crime Team and FSL teams were immediately called, and the scene of the crime was thoroughly examined. CCTV footage from nearby areas is being scanned to identify the assailants," Additional Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Bhisham Singh said.
Prima facie, it appears that the present case is linked to the earlier murder, he said. "We are re-examining all aspects of the 2023 case and the role of the proclaimed offender (Bharat)," Singh said, adding that multiple teams have been formed to trace the shooters and those who may have masterminded the crime.
Speaking to reporters, Kanika Yadav, the deceased's elder daughter, alleged that the murder was planned by Bharat.
"Some of the accused in my father's murder case are lodged in Tihar Jail. Despite that, they are planning such crimes. Bharat Yadav planned and executed my mother's murder," she alleged.
Kanika claimed her mother was killed because she was standing firm as a witness in her father's murder case.
"They were afraid that they would be convicted on the basis of her statement. That is why my mother was killed. My father was murdered in 2023, and the case is still pending before the court," she said.
Police said Rachna is survived by two daughters, one of whom is married, while the younger daughter lived with her. Security has been stepped up in the area, and further investigation is underway, police added.
