Karnataka set to approach SC to implement MGNREGA for this year

In a decision that could lead to another confrontation with the Centre, the Karnataka government on Thursday decided to approach the Supreme Court seeking permission to formulate and implement an action plan for this year under the now-defunct Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA) Act, 2005.

The Centre has replaced MGNREGA with Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025.

“We are already in May, and the Centre is yet to notify the new Act, frame rules and regulations. No alternative has been provided by the Centre. They have given advisory about water storage and availability due to climate change, and yet, the Act has not been notified. Hence, we will approach the court immediately,” Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil told presspersons during the post-Cabinet briefing here on Thursday.

Pending works

He also said that the Centre had asked States to continue and complete the pending works under the MGNREGA though money had not been allocated. When the new law was being formulated, the Centre should have consulted the State government, he added.

Mr. Patil said that while the State government would seek permission from the court to formulate an action plan for this year, the government would also point out at the “curtailing of the Constitutional right” under the new Act.

“We will question trampling of the Constitutional right of the State government to implement Right to Livelihood for the benefit of poor farmers, farm labourers and workers.”

When asked if the State government was expecting financial support from the Centre under the MGNREGA, Mr. Patil said, “When the Centre has asked us to continue with unfinished work under MGNREGA, it means that the Act is still in practice. It means whatever was part of the Act will continue.”

The Minister pointed out that the Congress government had tried to bring political pressure on the Centre against the new Act that replaced the MGNREGA by passing a resolution and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge had also met Union government on this issue, he added.