Bidar, Jan. 10 -- Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday strongly criticised the VB-G-RAM-G Bill, stating that it was against Article 21 of the Constitution and infringed upon the fundamental right to livelihood.

Speaking to the media here, Kharge said, "This bill is against Article 21 of the Constitution. The right to work is being snatched away. The right to livelihood is being ended. It also destroys the federal structure, where consultation is important. They (the central government) should go among the public and tell them why they are ending MGNREGA. How can it be a progressive bill if they are snatching power from panchayats?"

The minister alleged that the proposed legislation also weakened the country's federal structure ...