Bengaluru, Jan 10 (NationPress) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday accused the Congress of fabricating a misleading narrative regarding the VB G-RAM-G scheme and challenged the Congress leaders in Karnataka to engage in an open public debate with documented evidence to reveal what he termed their falsehoods.

It’s important to highlight that Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar had previously confronted BJP and JD(S) leaders over the elimination of MGNREGA and the introduction of G-RAM-G by the Centre.

In response to Kumaraswamy’s invitation for a discussion concerning the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated, “We are prepared for the discussion and will initiate a significant agitation if necessary.”

The Union Minister held a joint press conference in Bengaluru alongside Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka and BJP state President B.Y. Vijayendra regarding the G-RAM-G scheme.

Expressing intense frustration over what he described as misinformation propagated by the Congress about the scheme conceived under PM Modi’s leadership, Kumaraswamy remarked, “The era of people blindly accepting Congress’ lies has ended.”

Kumaraswamy pointed out that the Congress governed the nation for many years. “Did they ever honor Mahatma Gandhi by naming any significant scheme after him? Instead, they named everything after members of the Nehru family and betrayed Gandhiji. They have no ethical standing to discuss Gandhi,” he asserted.

Kumaraswamy insisted on an open debate regarding G-RAM-G. “We are not shying away. You claim that Panchayats are being mistreated, yet elections are being postponed. Shame on you for attempting to undermine the positive environment in the State,” he stated.

He recalled that during his tenure as Chief Minister, Rs 800 crore in MGNREGA funds were delayed, and he personally ensured that wages were paid from the state treasury. “The current Revenue Minister was the Rural Development Minister in my Cabinet. This government doesn’t even comprehend how to interact with the Centre,” he criticized.

“We invoke Lord Ram’s name to establish Ram Rajya. The state government must shoulder the responsibility and contribute 40% to this scheme. Siddaramaiah must acknowledge this responsibility,” he insisted.

Critiquing the Congress sharply, he added, “As if spreading propaganda externally wasn't sufficient, they are now summoning Assembly sessions and planning padayatras. For what heroism? Was embezzling public funds by fabricating bills under MGNREGA not enough?”

He inquired whether impoverished daily-wage workers ever experienced justice during the Congress rule. “Why did they fail to halt fake bills and identify fraudulent job cards? What were they doing all these years?” he questioned.

Kumaraswamy clarified that MGNREGA has not been abolished. “The Modi government has rectified long-standing irregularities and introduced major reforms. Congress leaders now claim that addressing loopholes is incorrect. How ridiculous,” he stated.

He emphasized that the G-RAM-G scheme will not diminish the powers of Gram Panchayats or state governments.

Kumaraswamy noted that all funding comes from the Central government, yet the state government has not utilized it effectively. “There is no transparency. Fake bills were generated, and funds were misappropriated. This is why we corrected past mistakes and established a new framework,” he elucidated.

He accused the Congress of exploiting Gandhiji’s name solely for electoral gains. “During their time in power, they slashed the budget for this very scheme and even halted wages for workers. Today, under PM Modi, every rupee is directly deposited into the workers’ bank accounts, and the Congress cannot bear it,” he remarked.

He further explained that the new scheme empowers Gram Panchayats, allowing local bodies to design projects while Gram Sabhas will set priorities, oversee implementation, and conduct obligatory social audits to ensure transparency. “This level of transparency is what the Congress opposes,” he alleged.

Kumaraswamy stated that the scheme operates on a 60:40 funding model. “To ensure accountability from state governments, a 40% contribution is required. We have not stripped them of their powers. The state must recognize its role,” he insisted.

He dismissed KPCC President Shivakumar’s assertion that Union Minister Prahlad Joshi claimed Rs 11 lakh crore was misappropriated. “What Joshi referred to was irregularities within social audit units. Rs 11 lakh crore represents total expenditure, not misappropriation. Our Deputy CM may be misunderstanding,” Kumaraswamy explained.

Kumaraswamy mentioned that MGNREGA was initiated by the Congress in 2005 with good intentions. “I have never said the scheme is flawed. It benefited rural workers. However, later on, the Congress tarnished it through extensive corruption. They failed to rectify mistakes while in power. Now PM Modi has fixed everything. The Congress should acknowledge this truthfully,” he stated.

Referring to a specific incident in Koppal during Siddaramaiah’s tenure as Chief Minister, Kumaraswamy recounted, “Workers demanding wages faced police brutality. They were transported in tractors with promises of payment, leading to an accident that resulted in deaths. It was later discovered that many lacked job cards, and some cards were issued to individuals aged 65-80. Despite such fraud, the Congress claims that fixing it is wrong.”

Youth JD(S) President Nikhil Kumaraswamy, JD(S) Legislature Party Leader C.B. Suresh Babu, Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, former Minister Venkatarava Nadagouda, former MLCs K.A. Tippeswamy, Ashwath Narayan, Chowda Reddy Thupalli, and others were present at the press conference.