Karnataka CM questions removal of Gandhi’s name from NREGA scheme

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar felicitating civic workers during the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations at Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office in Bengaluru on Friday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Expressing displeasure over the Union government changing the name of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme to Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said, “When Gandhiji was killed, almost all member nations of the United Nation Organisation (UNO) lowered their flags to half-mast as a mark of respect. Yet, it remains incomprehensible why the Union government removed Gandhiji’s name from the employment guarantee scheme.”

The Chief Minister questioned, “What harm would be in retaining Gandhiji’s name in the NREGA scheme?” He asserted that there is a need for a detailed discussion on this matter.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president B.K. Hariprasad felicitated civic workers during the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations at KPCC office in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT