While directing the resumption of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in West Bengal, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court, led by T. S. Sivagnanam, on June 18, spoke about drawing a line between past actions and future steps to be taken to implement the scheme. The division bench, while resolving the three-year imbroglio, pointed out that the Act “does not envisage a situation where the scheme will be put to cold storage for eternity”.
Despite the High Court order to resume the scheme from August 1, 100 day work has not started and it seems that neither the government at the state nor at the Centre are keen to resume the scheme.
No resumption of MGNREGA work in West Bengal despite HC order says PBKMS
The suspension of the scheme has dominated politics in the State for the past three years. Before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Trinamool Congress leaders paraded MGNREGA beneficiaries in Delhi and highlighted the Centre was depriving the workers of the State of its rightful dues. However, after the High Court directed resumption of the scheme, the response of the ruling party has been lukewarm.
In several public gatherings between June 18 and August 1, West Bengal Chief Minister gave no hints on the resumption of the 100-day work. Instead, Ms. Banerjee spoke about Karmashree Prakalpa, a scheme aimed to provide at least 50 days of wage employment to each job card holder household in a financial year.
