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

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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

Mr. Shivakumar was speaking at a ceremony held in Gandhi Bhavan on Friday, after presenting Gandhi Seva Award-2026 and Gandhi Puraskar to 11 addiction-free villages in Koppal district.

“There are two ideologies in this country: one is the family that embraces Gandhian principles, and the other is the group that opposes Gandhism. The nation is witnessing a conflict between the two. All of us who follow Gandhian principles belong to the Gandhi family. Our government is walking the path of his ideology,” Mr. Shivakumar said.

Meanwhile, Woode P. Krishna, recipient of the Gandhi Seva Award, emphasised the need to convey Gandhiji’s ideals to the younger generation, noting that there are systematic attempts to misinterpret the Mahatma.

The prize money of ₹5 lakh was donated to the Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi.

‘Gandhi Puraskara’ was presented to eleven villages in Koppal district that voluntarily became free of liquor sales, and to the ‘Gandhi Balaga’ of Koppal, an organisation working to preach Gandhi’s principles in rural areas.

The State Alcohol Temperance Board honoured villages including Hatti, Lebageri, Talakanakapura, Hanumanahalli, Kamanuru, Binnala and Chikkenakoppa in Kukanoor taluk, and Madnala, Nagarala, Boduru Tanda, and Hirebannigola in Kushtagi taluk for making villages free from alcohol sales. The award package included a ‘Charkha’ (spinning wheel) and a book.

General Manager, Manoranjan Pradhan, with other officers and staff of Rail Wheel Factory (RWF), celebrated Gandhi Jayanti by taking Swatchhata pledge.

As a part of Swatchhata Hi Seva Abhiyaan (SHS) 2026, Swatchhata Pakhwara is being observed at the RWF from October 1 to 15. Various activities including shramadaan, health screening camps, intensive cleanliness drives at various locations on the factory premises and colonies, workshop on doll making out of waste cloth, were held at the RWF.

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