Karnataka Assembly passes resolution against VB-G RAM G, demands reinstating MGNREGA
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution urging the Centre to immediately repeal VB-G RAM G and reinstate MGNREGA amid walkout by the opposition BJP and its ally JD(S).
The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday, which was accepted by the House today.
The resolution said the VB-G RAM G Act, "unilaterally" enacted by the Centre, is "detrimental to the basic ideals of federalism and the right to livelihood of the rural people."
Opposition Leader R Ashoka said the BJP opposes the resolution moved by the ruling Congress and supports the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajivika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G).
He also reiterated his party's demand that Excise Minister R B Timmapur should resign as there was a large scale corruption to the tune of Rs 6,000 crore in the Excise Department.
As he walked out, Ashoka tore the resolution copy and threw it in the Assembly.
The BJP leader on Tuesday alleged that the scam money was used for funding Congress in the poll-bound states. The BJP staged an overnight agitation inside the Karnataka Assembly, which continued throughout Wednesday.
The party raised slogans in the Assembly disrupting the proceedings demanding Timmapur’s resignation.
The ruling Congress rejected the opposition's demand, saying that there was no evidence against Timmapur.
After passing the resolution on VB-G RAM G, Speaker U T Khader adjourned the House sine die.
Earlier speaking on the resolution, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge said the MGNREGA was a game changer as it created jobs and helped create assets in the villages.
While MGNREGA is demand-based, the VB-G RAM G is a supply-based and it does not guarantee jobs as the previous employment scheme offered, the minister noted.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar too backed the resolution, saying that many development works were taken up in his constituency Kanakapura due to the MGNREGA.
Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who has been expelled from the BJP for anti-party activities, supported the VB-G RAM G saying that the law was much needed.
The resolution read by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "The VB-GRAM-G Act is against the federal principle, is a severe burden on the state exchequer and is against the principle of decentralisation, and has taken away the powers and rights of the Gram Panchayats; and to reinstate the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in its original form, which has led to rural asset creation and self-reliance of the poor."
"This House takes serious view of the repeal of the MGNREGA, which was a Sanjeevini (something that gives life) for the rural poor and an integral part of rural life… This House strongly opposes this move of the Centre (of bringing in the VB-G RAM G act repealing MGNREGA)," it added.
The Karnataka Cabinet had earlier decided not to accept the VB-G RAM G Act, replacing the MGNREGA, and to take up a legal battle against it.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Fire erupts at plastic factory in Ahmedabad; no casualties
Ahmedabad (PTI): A fire broke out at a plastic granules and mould manufacturing factory in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Sunday morning, an official said.
No casualties were reported in the incident, he said.
The blaze erupted around 8 am at Processo Plast Enterprise in the Bapunagar area, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's Additional Chief Officer (fire) Mihir Rana told PTI.
Thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing into the sky, visible from a considerable distance in the area.
"The unit closed after the night shift and the fire broke out in the morning in the ground floor's storage facility section due to unidentified reasons," Rana said.
Nine fire tenders and several other firefighting vehicles were rushed to the spot, and the blaze was brought under control by 11 am, he said.
Firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to the first floor. However, machinery and plastic materials were damaged on the ground floor, he said, adding that the exact cause of the blaze was under investigation.
