In the bustling city of New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi, a prominent figure in the Congress party, penned a missive to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, addressing the alleged withholding of central funds earmarked for workers in West Bengal under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). His plea urged the central government to expedite the release of these crucial funds.
Highlighting the plight of countless laborers, Gandhi emphasized that the cessation of central funds to West Bengal since March 2022 has resulted in the denial of work opportunities and rightful wages under MGNREGS. A significant number of workers find themselves unpaid for completed tasks in 2021 due to a shortage of funds. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, introduced in 2005 during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime, aimed to secure the ‘right to work’ for rural denizens.
In his communication via ‘X’, Gandhi expressed, “In a written correspondence, the attention of the Prime Minister was drawn to the dire situation faced by MNREGA workers in West Bengal. In the current backdrop of inflationary pressures and severe unemployment, MNREGA has emerged as a crucial economic shield for the underprivileged.”
“Regrettably, the neglect of this revolutionary scheme by the Central Government has led to anguish and hardships for lakhs of families in West Bengal, particularly affecting women, Dalit, and tribal communities. It is anticipated that the Prime Minister will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and expedite a resolution,” he added.
Earlier, in his letter to the PM, Rahul Gandhi articulated, “I am reaching out to you concerning the harrowing conditions of MGNREGA workers in West Bengal and their unyielding quest for justice. During my recent journey to West Bengal as part of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, a delegation of MGNREGA workers from Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samiti apprised me of their challenges.”
“Lakhs of our brethren and sisters are grappling with the denial of work and wages under MGNREGS due to the cessation of central funds to West Bengal since March 2022. I was informed that numerous workers remain unpaid for tasks completed in 2021 due to insufficient funds. Furthermore, there has been a staggering reduction in the number of households availing work – from 75 lakh in 2021-22 to fewer than 8000 households in 2023-24. This drastic downturn has disproportionately impacted the most vulnerable, specifically women and households belonging to ST and SC communities,” he elaborated.
“The absence of MGNREGS employment and pending wages has compelled many to make challenging decisions, particularly resorting to distress migration,” Gandhi continued. The Congress leader underscored that 18 years ago, the UPA government embarked on a groundbreaking path of social and economic justice by guaranteeing the right to work for rural communities. He urged the central government to expedite fund release to settle pending wages.
“I implore the Union Government to facilitate the disbursement of funds to clear pending wages and ensure the fulfillment of the demand for work. I firmly believe that we have a responsibility to transcend our political disparities to uphold principles of social, political, and economic justice,” he concluded. The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal has consistently voiced its opposition to the central government, citing delays in fund allocation for initiatives like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and other social security programs in the state.
Contrarily, the Ministry of Rural Development clarified that the cessation of funds for West Bengal on March 9, 2022, aligns with Section 27 of MGNREGA, citing the state’s non-compliance with central government directives. Last year in December, a ten-member delegation led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concerns about the alleged delays in MGNREGA fund release to the state.
Post the meeting, the West Bengal CM asserted, “A ten-member delegation, including our MPs, met the PM today. I urged the PM to release the funds due to the state. He mentioned joint meetings between officials from the Centre and West Bengal to address this,” she reported.
“We are not receiving funds for the underprivileged under the 100-day work scheme. It is mandatory, under the Constitution, that this funding be provided. During the calamitous rains of 22-23, our state did not receive any funds under the 100-day work scheme. Funding for additional days of work, the PM Awas Yojana scheme, the rural development scheme, and the Health Mission scheme has also been put on hold. We are not receiving funds for the Finance Commission either,” she added.
