Kolkata, Oct 27 – The Supreme Court gave West Bengal a major win today, ruling that the centre must resume and pay for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme that had been stalled since December 2021.
Trinamool Congress said the decision was a “historic victory” for the state and a blow to the central government, which had tried to keep the funds frozen.
What the court said
- The apex court dismissed Delhi’s appeal against the Calcutta High Court’s order.
- The verdict forces the central government to clear all unpaid MGNREGA dues to West Bengal.
- The employment programme, which provides up to 100 days of work in villages, can now restart.
Reaction from the state
Trinamool leaders, among them Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee, celebrated the ruling on social media. “A crushing defeat for the BJP,” Banerjee wrote. He accused the BJP‑led centre of imposing an “economic blockade” on Bengal after it lost power in the 2020 state elections, and said the decision shows that the state will no longer accept being denied wages for the poor.
The background
- West Bengal had been unable to use MGNREGA funds for over three years because Delhi stopped the money, citing alleged corruption and fake job cards.
- The state said the block was a political move to punish them after they lost the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
- In early 2024, the Calcutta High Court ordered the centre to resume funding, with a clause that it could give guidance on preventing fraud.
Why it matters
The Supreme Court’s ruling ends a long‑standing blockade that has deprived the state’s rural poor of jobs and income. The decision also signals that the judiciary will not tolerate politically motivated financial blocks.
Trinamool Congress said the court’s verdict “confirms Bengal’s stand as both legal and just” and called on the central government to release the money immediately.
With the funds cleared, MGNREGA can resume in West Bengal, giving thousands of villagers a chance to earn wages and support their families. This move is seen as a win for justice and a setback for any efforts to silence the state’s voice.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
