Karnataka Government, Governor Lock Horns Over Special Assembly Session on G RAM G Scheme

Karnataka Government, Governor Lock Horns Over Special Assembly Session on G RAM G Scheme

Bengaluru, January 21: A political standoff has emerged in Karnataka after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot declined to address a joint session of the state legislature scheduled to begin on Thursday, citing concerns over the agenda that includes a discussion on the Centre’s newly introduced G RAM G employment scheme.

The special session was convened by the Congress-led state government to debate and pass a resolution opposing the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), commonly referred to as G RAM G. The scheme recently replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) at the national level, triggering sharp reactions from opposition parties across the country.

Sources said the Governor’s decision to stay away from the joint sitting is linked to reservations about discussing a central law in a state legislature forum. The move has widened the rift between Raj Bhavan and the Siddaramaiah government.

In an attempt to ease tensions, a high-level delegation led by Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil met the Governor on Wednesday evening, urging him to reconsider. The meeting, however, failed to yield an immediate breakthrough.

Last week, Patil had indicated that the state was even exploring legal options against the G RAM G legislation. He maintained that the special session was meant to raise public awareness and build pressure on the Centre to restore MNREGA in its original form.

The BJP, meanwhile, has accused the state government of acting with ulterior motives. Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka described the joint session as a “sheer waste of public money” and alleged it was driven by political considerations rather than constitutional necessity.

Backing the Governor, senior BJP leader S. Prakash said the constitutional head of the state was well within his अधिकार to exercise discretion. “The Governor understands the limits of his office. If he felt it was constitutionally improper to address the House on a specific issue, he is justified in distancing himself,” Prakash remarked.

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At the heart of the dispute is the G RAM G scheme, which was cleared by Parliament last month amid noisy protests by opposition MPs. Critics have taken strong exception to the renaming of MNREGA, arguing that replacing Mahatma Gandhi’s name with that of Lord Ram carries political symbolism and undermines the legacy of a landmark social welfare programme.

Opposition parties have also flagged concerns over changes in the funding pattern. Under the new framework, most states are required to contribute 40 per cent of wage costs, a sharp departure from the earlier MNREGA structure where the Centre bore nearly 90 per cent of the expenses. The Congress has warned that this could severely strain state finances and shrink employment opportunities for rural workers.

The Union government, however, has defended the overhaul, calling MNREGA a two-decade-old scheme plagued by inefficiencies and corruption. It has highlighted an increase in guaranteed workdays—from 100 to 125—and argued that the revised funding model encourages states to take greater ownership.

The debate over G RAM G shows no signs of cooling down. With Karnataka preparing to take an openly confrontational stand and the Governor exercising constitutional caution, the issue has added yet another layer to the ongoing tussle between the Centre and opposition-ruled states over federal powers and welfare policy.