Name VB-G RAM G after Mahatma Gandhi, Karnataka urges Centre

Karnataka has urged the Centre to name the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar & Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) as ‘Mahatma Gandhi VB-G RAM G’ and offer employment for 365 days.

The demand came from Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre during the meeting of all State Ministers convened by Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan in Delhi on Monday (June 29). “It is not right to drop the name of Mahatma Gandhi, who propagated gram swaraj. Either name VB-G RAM G after Mahatma Gandhi or add his name to all 2.98 lakh gram panchayats across the country,” he said.

Mr. Khandre said that employment guarantee should be for 365 days, and it was not right to not provide employment for 60 days during harvest. He also pointed out that the ratio of funding should be revised from the current 90:10, which is a burden on the State, to 60:40. “The State is yet to get ₹2,186 crore recommended by the 15th Finance Commission, which should be revised immediately.”