Bengaluru, Jan 22 (NationPress) In response to the Governor's decision not to deliver the traditional address at the joint session, Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused the Karnataka government of wanting the Governor to make 'false and misleading' statements regarding the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He further asserted that the Congress party operates as a 'factory of lies'.

On Thursday, Governor Gehlot opted to forgo the usual address crafted by the state government, choosing instead to conclude with a few brief remarks, which led to dramatic reactions within the Assembly.

During a press conference held in the city, Chouhan reiterated that the Congress is a 'factory of lies' and a 'shop of illusions'. He claimed, 'Democracy was murdered in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly today, and even the Constitution was undermined.' He argued that the Governor could not read the government's prepared address due to its inaccuracies.

Chouhan charged that the Congress party is synonymous with commission, corruption, and mismanagement. He mentioned that the party resorts to blaming the Central government to distract from its own failures.

He provided details about alleged corruption within MGNREGA, highlighting that irregularities in Yadgir district had garnered national and international attention. He alleged that individuals disguised as women to misappropriate MGNREGA funds.

Chouhan mentioned that numerous corruption cases had been unveiled through social audits, stating that despite identifying opportunities to reclaim Rs 107.78 crore, no actions were taken in 3,551 cases, expressing his dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency.

He referred to a report from the CAG that instructed Lokpal authorities to recover Rs 24.12 crore, out of which only Rs 2.47 crore was recovered.

Following up on complaints related to irregularities in Kalaburagi district, Chouhan mentioned that his ministry dispatched a team. In the fiscal year 2024-25, 21 projects were to be executed across five gram panchayats in Aland, but it was found that work was conducted using machines rather than human labor, with fraudulent documents uncovered. He noted that in Kalur gram panchayat, a school compound wall was constructed but misrepresented as a toilet construction.

He asserted that numerous instances of funds being claimed through fabricated documents have surfaced. He explained that works were often split and presented as separate projects to claim funding, with many projects existing solely on paper without actual implementation.

In several villages, he claimed names of family members were duplicated. While desilting of lakes was reported, the silt was left on the banks, destined to flow back into the lake during rains, enabling further claims of desilting.

Chouhan highlighted that during the UPA government from 2006-07 to 2013-14, Rs 8,739.32 crore was allocated to Karnataka, whereas under the current NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rs 48,549.82 crore has been released, emphasizing that this is Karnataka's rightful share.

He contrasted the UPA government's release of Rs 2.13 lakh crore across the nation with the NDA's release of Rs 8.48 lakh crore, asserting that the current funding significantly exceeds past amounts. He noted that corruption was prevalent previously but reforms were introduced after extensive discussions.

Chouhan recalled that Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had questioned in 2012 whether MGNREGA was limited to simply digging and refilling. He also mentioned that in February 2011, then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh acknowledged corruption in MGNREGA, and even Sonia Gandhi had mentioned the creation of fake job cards.

Considering these points, Chouhan stated that the NDA government recognized the need for an alternative scheme to address deficiencies and corruption, leading to the implementation of the Viksit Bharat Grameen Rozgar Mission under Modi's leadership, while accusing Congress of disseminating falsehoods about it.

He noted that while MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of employment, the Viksit Bharat Grameen Rozgar Mission ensures 125 days. He emphasized that the current government has resolved past issues of delayed wage payments.

Chouhan stressed the necessity of developed villages for a developed India, arguing that the government does not wish for people to earn money through mere mud shifting, as in MGNREGA. By utilizing PM Gati Shakti and technology, gram panchayats will formulate development plans, with enhanced powers for gram panchayats to prepare these plans during gram sabha meetings.

He criticized the Congress party for losing its ideological foundation, claiming it no longer contributes to the country's progress, and stated that development in Karnataka has stagnated. Despite claiming Mahatma Gandhi as an ideal, he accused the party of betraying Bapu's principles.

While Mahatma Gandhi advocated for truth and non-violence, Chouhan condemned Congress for adopting lies.

Present at the press conference were BJP state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, former BJP national general secretary and MLC C.T. Ravi, and JD(S) legislature party leader Suresh Babu.