Activists stage protests in Belagavi against VB-G RAM G Act

Members of various organisations staged protests against the Union government against the changes made to the erstwhile rural job scheme and demanded the withdrawal of the new scheme, VB-G RAM G.

At different protests organised here on Wednesday and Tuesday, members of Grameena Koolikarmikara Sangha, Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) and All India Krishi Karmik Sanghatane demanded the restoration of the old scheme.

Grakoos members gathered at the Rani Channamma Circle and formed a human chain. They shouted slogans against the Union government. They held banners against what they called “anti- labour moves” of the NDA government at the Centre.

Coordinator Vishweshvarayya Hiremath said that the important change in the new scheme is to convert a demand-based job scheme into a supply-based scheme.

“This has taken away our fundamental right to work. It has also reduced chances of employment during monsoon season and taken away protection of minimum wages in that period. This is an anti-landless labour move. This needs to be condemned,” he said.

Activists Dilip Kamat, Anita, Sagarika, Vandana and others were present.

On Tuesday, SUCI and AIKKMS members took out a rally to the Deputy Commissioner’s office. They demanded the withdrawal of the VB-G RAM G scheme. They walked from Ambedkar Garden to the Deputy Commissioner’s office and shouted slogans against the Union government. They submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s office through the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Convenor Ramanjanappa Aldali said that NREGA that was passed after decades of struggles by people’s organisations was suddenly replaced by VB-G RAM G that effectively takes away the right to work for the rural poor.

The erstwhile NREGA used to work as a tool to prevent migration and starvation and increased wages, by providing State support. All this has been snatched away by the new rules. The new Act was passed without proper discussion in Parliament. “It has curtailed our right to employment. The NDA government at the Centre is pushing public welfare schemes to the background and cutting funds allocated for them. We will continue to fight against this,” he said.

Lakshman Jadagannavar said that the new law is an affront to the dignity of the rural poor. “The Centre has reduced its share in allocation and expects the States to bear the burden. This is not justifiable,” he said.

Leaders Lakkappa Bijjannavar, Raju Ganagi, Jyotiba Manwadakar, Bharamappa Mashenatti, Renuka Hallikar, Jyoti Pawar and others were present.