Formalising a decision announced a month ago, Karnataka Chief MinisterSiddaramaiahsaid nearly 6,000 Gram Panchayats across the state will be renamed to “immortalise the name of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi".
“It will now be named ‘Mahatma Gandhi Gram Panchayats’," Siddaramaiah announced.
The decision comes after the Centre introduced the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, replacing the MGNREGA law and removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the flagship rural employment scheme.
The move to replace the scheme and change the name had faced significant criticism from opposition parties, who accused the BJP-led government of attempting to erase Gandhi’s name from the programme.
The central government clearly stated that the new scheme was a “major upgrade" designed to address structural weaknesses in the old system and, as Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan put it, was very much in accordance with the “spirit of Mahatma Gandhi".
The Congress government in Karnataka accused the BJP of attempting to erase Gandhi’s legacy from rural welfare programmes.
Siddaramaiah said the employment scheme introduced during the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government had transformed rural livelihoods.
“UnderMGNREGA, each Gram Panchayat used to receive nearly Rs 1 crore annually, and the rural poor, especially women, were assured 100 days of employment. That guarantee is now being taken away," he said earlier.
He said the programme had benefited millions across the country. According to the Chief Minister, 53 per cent of the beneficiaries were women, 28 per cent belonged to SC/ST communities, and nearly five lakh were specially abled persons.
Taking a sharp swipe at the BJP, Siddaramaiah alleged that the move was ideologically driven.
Source: Politics News in news18.com, Politics Latest News, Politics News
