When Will PM Modi Pay Karnataka’s MGNREGA Workers?, Asks Congress

Highlighting the "jumla details", Ramesh stated that the Bagalkote-Kudachi line of the South-Western Railway has now been delayed by over eight years.

Congress Leader Jairam Ramesh. ( Image Source :PTI )

Congress on Monday slammed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government over the "delay" in the Bagalkote-Kudachi Railway line project, and questioned the centre regarding the wages of the Karnataka MGNREGA workers. Ahead of Congress rally in Bagalkote, party's general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted questions to PM Modi on his official X handle. 

Taking to X, Ramesh asked: "Why has the Modi Government failed to deliver the Bagalkote-Kudachi Railway line? Why is the Modi Government holding up the Upper Bhadra and Mahadayi projects? When will the PM pay Karnataka's MGNREGA workers?"

Today’s questions for the PM as he heads to Bagalkote, Karnataka:

1. Why has the Modi Government failed to deliver the Bagalkote-Kudachi Railway line?

2. Why is the Modi Government holding up the Upper Bhadra and Mahadayi projects?

3. When will the PM pay Karnataka’s…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 29, 2024

Highlighting the "jumla details", Ramesh stated that the Bagalkote-Kudachi line of the South-Western Railway has now been delayed by over eight years. "As of today, only 33%, or 46 km of the 142 km line has been completed. Originally sanctioned in 2010-11 at an outlay of Rs 986 crore, the project has now seen its cost balloon to Rs 1649 crore. Originally supposed to be completed in March 2016, the project is now slated for completion in 2027," he stated.

Despite the state government providing the land for the project free of cost, and contributing 50 per cent of the construction cost, "the Modi Sarkar has failed to deliver on this project," he said. 

"Why is this vital rail project facing an 11 year delay? Is it attributable to the Modi Sarkar's incompetence or to its anti-Karnataka tendencies?" Ramesh said. 

He stated that in the last year's Union Budget, the Modi government announced a Rs 5,300 crore grant for the Upper Bhadra Project. However, more than a year later, state Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda stated that not a "single paisa" of this grant has been released. 

"During his assembly election campaign, PM Modi had also claimed to resolve long-standing issues with the Mahadayi-Kalasa Banduri Nala Project. Yet, earlier this year, clearance for the project has been deferred by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change," Ramesh said.