Calcutta High Court Orders Resumption of MGNREGA Funds in West Bengal: A Win for Justice

In a significant ruling, the Calcutta High Court has instructed the Indian government to restart the disbursement of funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in West Bengal from August 1. This directive arrives amidst allegations of corruption in the allocation of these funds.

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar highlighted the court's acknowledgment of presented evidence indicating misconduct, and suggested that the Centre could carry out inquiries across any district if deemed necessary. Meanwhile, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee referred to the court's order as a setback to BJP's alleged punitive political practices.

During a hearing, Chief Justice T. S. Sivagnanam underscored the necessity of resuming the MGNREGA scheme, noting that malpractices were confirmed in select districts but halting the scheme entirely was unwarranted. BJP's Amit Malviya and the ruling TMC expressed mutual approval of the court's decision, which expedites the revival of job allocations to over 59 lakh cardholders in Bengal.

(With inputs from agencies.)