Congress spreading misinformation on VB-G Ram G scheme: Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, January 10, 2026: Member of Parliament Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri on Saturday accused the Congress of indulging in baseless propaganda over the renaming and restructuring of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), now rechristened as the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission–Grameen (VB-G Ram G) scheme.

Addressing a press conference at the district BJP office here, Kageri said that not only had the scheme been renamed, but several new benefits and administrative reforms had also been introduced. However, he alleged that the Congress was deliberately misleading the public on the issue.

To expose what he termed as Congress’ misinformation campaign, Kageri announced that the BJP would undertake a statewide awareness campaign from January 15 to February 25.

He said that the names of welfare schemes change over time, pointing out that the Congress itself had renamed the Nehru Rozgar Yojana as NREGA when it was in power, which later became MGNREGA in 2016. After nearly 20 years, further changes have now been introduced, he added.

Kageri said the guaranteed number of employment days had been increased from 100 to 125, with wages to be credited within a week. Several administrative reforms have also been made, and the selection of works will now be done by the gram panchayats, making the scheme decentralised, he said, alleging that Congress leaders were spreading false narratives instead of acknowledging these improvements.

He added that priority had been given to water conservation works such as construction of check dams, lakes and wells, promotion of self-help groups and farmer producer companies, and disaster mitigation. The budget allocation for employment guarantee schemes, which stood at ₹33,000 crore in 2016, has now been increased to ₹86,000 crore. To enhance state participation, the states’ share has been raised to 40 per cent, he said.

Responding to Congress allegations that the Centre uses state funds for central schemes while displaying the Prime Minister’s photograph, Kageri said it was Congress’ strategy to prevent beneficiaries from receiving the benefits of central schemes. He alleged that similar obstacles were created in schemes like Ayushman Bharat and Vayovandana, adding that blaming the Centre had become Congress’ political habit.

MP Brijesh Chowta, district BJP president Satish Kumpala, MLA Vedavyas Kamath, Legislative Council member Kishore Kumar, former MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, and party leaders Premananda Shetty and Vasanth Poojary were present.

Replying to a question from journalists, Kageri said he stood by his allegations of corruption against Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader and demanded a judicial probe into the matter. He said that if required, he was prepared to submit documentary evidence after such an inquiry is ordered.