Over five lakh senior citizens in Karnataka's Belagavi register for work under MGNREGA
Belagavi: In a troubling indicator of rural economic hardship, more than five lakh senior citizens aged over 60 have registered as workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Karnataka’s Belagavi district.
According to a report by The New Indian Express on Wednesday, 5,07,919 elderly individuals have signed up for manual labour under the scheme — a sharp rise from 4,46,783 registrations recorded last year.
Alarmingly, even those in their 80s are turning to physical labour to make ends meet. In the first half of the 2025–26 fiscal year, 457 individuals aged over 80 were given jobs under MGNREGA. In total, 13,085 elderly above 80 are now registered for work in the district — an increase of 3,000 over the past two years. The remaining 4,94,834 registered workers fall in the 61–80 age bracket.
Gram panchayats are responsible for assigning work based on age and physical capability under the scheme. However, the numbers reflect deeper socio-economic issues, as senior citizens, many well past retirement age, are increasingly seeking physical labour for survival.
Hukkeri taluk has emerged with the highest number of senior citizen registrations under MGNREGA, with 55,076 people in the 60–80 age group and 1,602 above 80 years. Athani taluk follows closely with 52,664 registrations above 60 and 1,647 above 80, added the report.
Belagavi taluk, however, has the highest number of registered elderly above 80 years, at 1,778. Despite the registrations, only 62 individuals from this age group have received work so far.
Within Belagavi taluk, Ambewadi Gram Panchayat has the highest number of registered senior citizen labourers at 1,429. Meanwhile, Balvanti Gram Panchayat reports the highest number of registrants over the age of 80, with 173 individuals.
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Communal hate speech case: Bail granted to Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat
Mangaluru: RSS leader Dr. Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat has been granted bail by the Puttur Fifth Additional District and Sessions Court in a case related to alleged communal hate speech.
The case pertains to a complaint filed against Bhat for delivering a speech during a Deepotsava event that was allegedly communal, derogatory towards women, and capable of disturbing public order. The incident took place on October 22 at Uppalige in Puttur taluk during the Deepotsava and Gopuja programme, where Bhat was present.
Following the complaint filed by Eshwari Padmunja at the Puttur Rural Police Station, the police had issued a notice directing Bhat to appear for inquiry. Subsequently, Bhat filed an anticipatory bail petition before the court.
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During the hearing on October 27, the court issued an interim order restraining coercive action and adjourned the matter to October 29 for complete hearing. On October 29, the counsel representing complainant Eshwari Padmunja sought permission to argue under Sections 338 and 339 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The court adjourned the matter several times post that.
On Wednesday, the court granted bail to Prabhakar Bhat.
Advocate Mahesh Kaje represented him in the proceedings.
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