K'taka: Cong govt moves Assembly resolution to repeal VB-G RAM G act , reinstate MGNREGA
Bengaluru (PTI): The Congress government in Karnataka on Tuesday moved a resolution in the Legislative Assembly urging the Centre to immediately repeal the new rural employment legislation VB-G RAM G act and reinstate the UPA-era MGNREGA in its original form, amid strong objections from opposition BJP.
The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
"With a view to protecting the right to life of the rural people of Karnataka, this House urges the central government to immediately repeal the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAM-G) Act, which is against the federal principle, is a severe burden on the state exchequer and is against the principle of decentralization, 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," the CM said reading out the resolution.
Stating that the Assembly reiterates its full commitment to the Panchayati Raj system and the principles of decentralization of power, which are the bedrock of Indian democracy, he said, "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."
"The new 'VB-GRAM-G' Act, unilaterally enacted by the Central Government, is detrimental to the basic ideals of federalism and the right to livelihood of the rural people," it added.
"This House strongly opposes this move of the Centre (of bringing in the VB-G RAM G act repealing MGNREGA)," it added.
BJP members led by Leader of Opposition R Ashoka immediately took strong objection to it and said, "don't say the House strongly opposes, say the government opposes. Don't make us party to this."
However, the chief minister continued reading the resolution, stating that the opposition members can raise their objections during the discussion on the resolution. This angered the opposition members, who shouted slogans against the government.
The resolution reads the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act's abbreviation as "VB-GRAM-G" Act, instead of the actual VB G RAM G Act.
The government's repeated reference to the act as VB-GRAM-G act has already drawn criticism from the opposition, which has said that the ruling party has an "allergy" to name 'Ram'.
The Karnataka cabinet had earlier decided not to accept the recently enacted 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.
Cong 'pocketed' Rs 150 cr per annum from Assam healthcare budget during 15 yrs of rule: Shah
Guwahati (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday alleged that the Congress, during its previous 15 years of rule in Assam, "pocketed" Rs 150 crore per annum from the state healthcare budget.
Inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for healthcare projects worth Rs 2,092 crore in Assam, Shah said the BJP works for affordable healthcare for all sections of society and lauded Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for bringing the state's medical facilities at par with states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
"Assam's healthcare was in shambles 10 years ago as Congress worked only for the financial health of its leaders' families," he said.
Attacking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he said that no Indian supports his acts of "defaming" the country in his bid to oppose the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
ALSO READ: Never made casteist comment against Modi: Mani Shankar Aiyar
He lambasted the Congress for its "shirtless" protest at the recent AI summit in New Delhi and Gandhi for having 'chai-pakora' on the stairs of Parliament House.
"We were also in the opposition and staged protests against the government, but there is a right platform for it," he said.
"Parliament is a sacred seat of democracy. Its stairs should not be used for even dharnas. And Rahul Gandhi was having 'chai-pakora' there. Doesn't he know where to have his breakfast?" asked the Union minister.
Shah inaugurated the Rs 675-crore Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital in Guwahati, at a programme held on its premises.
He also virtually inaugurated two cancer centres at Golaghat and Tinsukia, both under Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), constructed at a cost of Rs 135 crore each.
Shah virtually laid the foundation stone for super-speciality hospitals at Diphu Medical College and Hospital (Rs 220 crore), Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (Rs 310 crore), and Barpeta Medical College and Hospital (Rs 284 crore).
The foundation stone for a Rs 218-crore Swasthya Bhawan in Guwahati, and the Abhayapuri District Hospital (Rs 115 crore) were also laid by the Union home minister.
Shah arrived here on Saturday evening on a two-day visit to Assam, his fourth visit to the northeastern state in four months.
