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Karnataka to discuss implications of MGNREGA repeal during joint legislature session
The Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, or VB-G RAM G, will be discussed during a joint session of the Karnataka legislature between January 22 and 31.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar during the meeting organized by KPCC to save the MGNREGA scheme and to formulate a strategy for the panchayat elections, at Gayatri Vihar, in Bengaluru on Tuesday. (@DKShivakumar/ANI Photo)
The first proceedings of the Karnataka legislature in 2026 will feature a special discussion on the Centre’s replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, or VB-G RAM G, the Cabinet decided in an emergency meeting on Wednesday.
The joint legislature session will be held for five days between January 22 and 31, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil told reporters. The final dates will be announced by the Assembly Speaker.
“To create awareness on the social and economic implications of the new Act on the people, the Cabinet decided to hold a special discussion and pass a resolution during the joint legislature session,” the minister said.
Although the Government had planned to hold a special legislature session, it decided on a joint legislature session owing to a technicality: the first legislative session of a calendar year should begin with the governor’s address as per a constitutional provision.
“In view of this technical reason, we are advancing the session. Instead of a special session, it will be a joint session,” Patil said, adding that discussion on the MGNREGA and its replacement, or VB-G RAM G, would start simultaneously.
On whether the dispute would fuel further conflict between the Union and the state governments, the minister said, “For the interests of the people and state, the Government will take a suitable step. If the rights of our people are taken away, the Government cannot sit quiet,” he said.
Among the aspects of VB-G RAM G opposed by Karnataka are the four-fold increase in the states’ share of the expenditure and the centralised decision-making system that took away powers from panchayats to decide on works taken up.
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The Cabinet also authorised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to clear the governor’s speech for the joint legislature session.
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