Continue probe, impose conditions but resume MGNREGA in Bengal: Calcutta HC to Centre

A division bench comprising Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee (Das) has ordered the Centre to resume the scheme on August 1.

In the same judgement, the court has allowed the central government to impose conditions and restrictions in the state in view of the corruption charges connected to the disbursement of funds under the scheme.

The funds were paused by the Centre from 2022 alleging corruption in the state.

The court was hearing a plea challenging the withholding of the funds filed by a farmers' body named Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity.

"All these allegations are from before 2022. You do whatever you want but implement the scheme," the Chief Justice said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Trinamool Congress national general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee, who had protested against the Centre over the pause of MGNREGA funds, has welcomed the court order.

In an X post, Abhishek wrote, "The Calcutta High Court’s order today to restart MGNREGA in Bengal is a blow to the BJP’s politics of revenge. Unable to accept the people’s mandate in 2021, the BANGLA BIRODHI BJP froze MGNREGA funds and choked off rural employment. This wasn’t governance - It was revenge and retribution.

"The Court’s directive today to resume the scheme from August 1, 2025 is a step toward restoring justice. We welcome it. 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."

Since last year, the Mamata Banerjee government in the state started clearing the dues from the state fund.