Demanding that the Central government withdraw the proposed VB-G RAM G Act and the continuation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in its existing form, members of the Karnataka Pranth Raitha Sangha (KPRS), rural labour and workers staged a protest outside the Kalaburagi Zilla Panchayat office on Monday.

Labour participating in the protest carried head pans on their heads, symbolically highlighting the lack of employment opportunities in rural areas and the growing hardships faced by villagers amid drought-like conditions.

The protest was led by KPRS district president Sharanabasappa Mamshetty who criticised what he described as anti-farmer and anti-worker policies that threaten rural livelihoods.

Addressing the gathering, he said that MGNREGA has served as a lifeline for poor rural families by providing employment opportunities within villages and preventing distress migration to cities.

The protesters submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre seeking immediate intervention to address the worsening agrarian situation in the district.

Mr. Mamshetty said that the district is experiencing significant rainfall deficit during the current monsoon season, resulting in poor sowing activity, crop stress and increasing uncertainty among farmers.

He said that inadequate rainfall, shortage of fodder and lack of employment opportunities have compounded difficulties in rural areas and demanded that the government declare Kalaburagi drought-affected and immediately initiate drought-relief works.

Opposing the VB-G RAM G Act, Mr. Mamshetty argued that it will weaken the decentralised framework of rural employment by reducing the powers of gram panchayats and limiting community participation in planning and implementation.

He maintained that MGNREGA should continue as a rights-based programme implemented through gram sabhas and local self-governing institutions.

The demands included the repeal of VB-G Gram G Act, restoration of MGNREGA in its original form, an increase in guaranteed employment to 200 man-days per household annually, enhancement of wage rates and immediate release of pending wages to workers.

They also sought continuous employment opportunities in rural areas to prevent migration of people in search of work.

KPRS leaders warned that they will intensify their agitation if the Centre and the State government fail to address the concern of farmers and rural workers and ensure the continuation of MGNREGA as a key rural employment and livelihood programme.