Bengaluru, Jan. 28 -- The state government on Tuesday announced that it would rename all the gram panchayat offices in the state after Mahatma Gandhi, amid the ongoing confrontation with the Centre over changes to the rural employment framework through the implementation of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajivika Mission (Gramin), VB-G RAM G Act.

Addressing the gathering at Freedom Park before kicking off a protest march till Bengaluru's Raj Bhavan, chief minister Siddaramaiah made the announcement, amid slogans accusing the Centre of weakening local governance and diluting employment protections through the overhaul of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar,...