Sat Jan 03 11:21:44 UTC 2026: News Article Summary:

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is demanding the central government repeal the new VB-G RAM G Act, which replaced the UPA-era MGNREGA. He argues the new act strips vulnerable populations of their right to livelihood, weakens panchayats, and burdens state finances. He vows the Congress party and the Karnataka government will launch a campaign to have the act withdrawn, similar to the farm law protests.

Rewritten News Article:

Karnataka CM Demands Repeal of VB-G RAM G Act, Cites Livelihood Concerns

Bengaluru – Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has issued a strong condemnation of the central government’s Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, calling for its immediate repeal and the reinstatement of the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Speaking to reporters Saturday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asserted that the VB-G RAM G Act, implemented by the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, undermines the rights of vulnerable populations, including women, the poor, and small farmers, by removing their guaranteed right to work. He further argued that the legislation centralizes power, diminishing the authority of local panchayats, and places an undue financial strain on state governments.

“The Modi Government has taken away the right to livelihood of the vulnerable sections of society… It has taken away the powers of the Panchayat, and it has also added a financial burden to the States without any consultation,” stated Siddaramaiah.

The Chief Minister pledged that the Congress party and the Karnataka state government would jointly launch a campaign to advocate for the act’s withdrawal, drawing parallels to the successful protests against the farm laws. “The Congress, along with the public, labourers, and all like-minded, will fight until the VB-G RAM G Act is withdrawn, as was done in case of farm laws,” he declared.

Siddaramaiah urged the central government to restore the people’s right to work and reinstate the self-governance rights of panchayats by scrapping the VB-G RAM G Act and reviving the MGNREGA program. The issue is expected to become a key point of contention between the state and central governments in the coming months.

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