Overview
- Karnataka’s cabinet unanimously decided not to accept the new law and will file a court challenge, with the Advocate General weighing whether to move the Supreme Court or the state High Court.
- Siddaramaiah said a special session of the legislature will be convened to pass a resolution seeking restoration of MGNREGA, alongside party-led padayatras and local-level protests through early February.
- Congress launched its ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’ in Punjab and announced parallel drives in Rajasthan (Jan 10–Feb 6), Telangana (45 days with gram sabha resolutions Jan 20–30 and district meetings from Feb 3) and Bihar (Jan 10–Feb 25).
- The VB-G RAM G Act, now in force, raises the nominal guarantee to 125 days and revises financing to a 60:40 Centre–state split, with the Centre empowered to notify covered areas and set state-wise allocations.
- Karnataka’s cabinet note cites violations of Article 21 and the 73rd–74th Amendments and warns the law undercuts panchayat authority, while BJP backers highlight added workdays and integration with livelihood missions.