BENGALURU – In a potential shift in rural employment policies, the Karnataka government is contemplating rejecting the Centre’s recently introduced Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grameen), or G-RAM-G. This decision comes as a response to concerns that the new initiative centralizes all projects, potentially undermining the federal structure of the nation.
Law and parliamentary affairs minister H K Patil led the Cabinet’s condemnation of G-RAM-G on Friday, stating that it strips the people of their right to work and poses a significant threat to the federal structure of India.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to further elaborate on this stance during a press briefing scheduled for Saturday. He may outline alternative options, possibly including the rollout of a state-specific rural employment guarantee scheme tailored to Karnataka’s unique needs and circumstances.
As this decision could mark a significant departure from the nationwide MGNREGA program that has been in place since 2006, it remains to be seen how the central government will respond to the potential rejection of G-RAM-G by one of India’s most populous states.
