Beyond the headlines: As HC order on MNREGA gives TMC a boost, BJP says act against ‘corruption' first

Indian Express

4 days ago

After multiple setbacks in court, the TMC-led state government got significant relief as the Calcutta High Court recently directed the Central government to resume the MNREGA scheme in the state from August 1. The BJP, however, has pointed out that while it is 'not against MNREGA scheme,' the onus is on the ruling TMC to first take action against 'corruption' in its ranks.
The Centre, through an earlier order dated March 9, 2022, stopped releasing funds for the scheme, citing irregularities under Section 27 of the Act. In May 2023, the Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity (PBKMS), a rural workers' trade union, filed a petition in the High Court challenging the suspension.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee noted that while Clause 27 allows the Ministry of Rural Development to withhold funds for a 'reasonable period' in case of irregularities, the scheme in Bengal has been stalled for nearly three years. 'At this juncture, the endeavour of the court is on implementation of the scheme in the state of West Bengal, which has been kept in abeyance for close to three years,' the Bench observed.
A senior official in the state administration welcomed the verdict and expressed hope that the Centre would not only release MNREGA funds but also 'unblock' dues under other centrally sponsored schemes, such as PMAY-G. 'The Centre cannot withhold funds for years because of corruption involving a few. The state has Rs 8,000 crore pending under PMAY-G alone. We hope this order will pave the way for resumption of other stalled projects as well,' the official said.
TMC leaders termed the HC order as a 'much-awaited relief for the state and its millions of NREGA workers.'
In a post on X, the TMC wrote, 'We made a promise to the people of Bengal – that we would fight for their rights with every ounce of strength in our bodies and we reaffirm our commitment to fight for Bengal against the ZAMINDARS in every forum, at every level.'
Party MP Abhishek Banerjee also wrote in a post on X, 'The Calcutta High Court's order to restart MNREGA in Bengal is a blow to BJP's politics of revenge. This wasn't governance, it was retribution. The Court's directive to resume the scheme from August 1 is a step toward restoring justice.'
However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee struck a more cautious note. 'The Centre is sending teams to Bengal, but they haven't released a single rupee in years. This is public money. People have worked, but they haven't been paid. Who will pay them? We had to pay from state funds. That's why we launched the 'Karmashree' scheme,' she said.
Anuradha Talwar, leader of Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity, the organisation that filed the petition, called the verdict a moral victory. It is the reward of the hard work and persistence of PBKMS members who did not give up their struggle despite three frustrating years. Our next task is to now ensure a corruption-free MNREGA in our State and to continue our struggle against BJP's attempts to kill MNREGA.'
CPI(M) Central Committee member Sujan Chakraborty also welcomed the order.'From the very first day we have been asking… Why are poor labourers suffering because of the fight between BJP and TMC? It is their right. There may be corruption allegations. That can be investigated. But it is not acceptable that, year after year, MNREGA work has been stopped,' he said.
BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya, however, maintained a guarded stance. 'We're not against MNREGA. But the TMC government wants to loot public money. The Centre cannot allow that. They've admitted to corruption but haven't taken action against those responsible,' he said.
Atri Mitra is a Special Correspondent of The Indian Express with more than 20 years of experience in reporting from West Bengal, Bihar and the North-East. He has been covering administration and political news for more than ten years and has a keen interest in political development in West Bengal.
Atri holds a Master degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University and Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. He is also an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
He started his career with leading vernacular daily the Anandabazar Patrika, and worked there for more than fifteen years. He worked as Bihar correspondent for more than three years for Anandabazar Patrika. He covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections. He also worked with News18-Bangla and covered the Bihar Lok Sabha election in 2019. ... Read More