Hundreds of daily wage workers take out protest march in Dharwad

Hundreds of daily wage labour, led by All India Kisan Khet Majdoor Sangathan (AIKKMS), took out a protest march in Dharwad on Tuesday demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act.

In response to a call for a State-wide protest, AIKKMS members marched from Kalabhavan Ground to the Deputy Commissioner’s office and submitted a memorandum through the Deputy Commissioner to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister.

Addressing the protestors, State vice-president of AIKKMS V. Nagamhala said that the new law, which has replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), is an attempt by the Central government to reduce the guarantee of employment provided to rural households.

She claimed that the new framework will centralise decision-making thereby reducing the role of the State government and weakening the federal structure.

She further said that the project has reduced the Centre’s financial contribution from 90% to 60%, shifting the remaining burden to the State governments.

District AIKKMS president Deepa Dharwad urged the Central government to drop VB-G RAM-G Act and retain the repealed MGNREGA.

She demanded that the total number of person days be increased to 200 per family with a daily wage of ₹600 to strengthen rural livelihoods. She said that the agitation will continue if the law is not withdrawn.

District secretary Sharanu Gonavar, committee members Ranappa Sawant, Madivalappa, Mallappa, Maruti Pujari, Siddamma, Manjunath Patil, Vijayalakshmi Nikam, Sridevi Doddmane, Hanumavva, Imam Saab and others led the protest.