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Key Points

The Calcutta High Court has ordered the Centre to implement the 100-day job scheme in West Bengal starting August 1. The court also permitted the Centre to enforce anti-corruption measures, including direct payments to beneficiaries. The ruling came after petitions accused the Centre of withholding funds due to alleged corruption. Meanwhile, the state's Trinamool Congress and BJP continue to clash over the issue.

Key Points: Calcutta HC Orders Centre to Start MGNREGA in Bengal by August 1

  • Court mandates MGNREGA rollout in Bengal by August 1
  • Allows Centre to impose anti-corruption conditions
  • Direct payment to beneficiaries approved
  • Ongoing corruption probes to continue
2 min read

Calcutta HC directs Centre to start 100-day job scheme in Bengal from August 1

Calcutta High Court directs Centre to implement 100-day job scheme in Bengal from August 1 while allowing anti-corruption measures.

"The court authorised the Centre to pay beneficiaries directly to prevent corruption. – Calcutta High Court"

Kolkata, June 18

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the Union government to start the process of implementation of the 100-day job scheme under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in West Bengal from August 1 without failure.

However, while giving the direction to the Union government, the division bench of Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chattopadhyay also gave a free hand to impose any condition on the West Bengal government on the proper implementation of the 100-day job scheme to ensure the prevention of corruption in the implementation process.

While giving the direction, it also authorised the Centre to pay the amount directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, if required.

The court also authorised the Union government to monitor the implementation process to prevent future corruption and also to carry out ongoing investigations on past instances of corruption.

The direction to the Union government came on a petition filed by the organisation, Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samiti (West Bengal Agricultural Workers’ Forum), accusing the Centre of not releasing funds under the 100-day job scheme. Senior advocate and the CPI-M Rajya Sabha member Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya appeared on behalf of the forum.

On the same issue, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, also filed a case at the Calcutta High Court. However, his contention was that there had been massive irregularities in the implementation of the 100-day job scheme in West Bengal.

The state's ruling Trinamool Congress had been quite vocal against the Union government over the non-release of central funds under the MGNREGA scheme for the last three years. On the other hand, the Union government and the BJP argued that the funds have been stopped for the state under this scheme due to rampant corruption in the implementation of the scheme in the past.

Field inspection teams from the Union government during the last couple of years toured several districts in West Bengal, probing the complaints on corruption in the implementation of the scheme.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Finally some justice for Bengal's rural workers! The court's decision to ensure direct bank transfers is a masterstroke to prevent middlemen corruption. Hope this implementation brings real benefits to those who need it most. 🙏
P
Priya M.
While I support MGNREGA, the corruption allegations in Bengal are serious. The Centre was right to withhold funds until proper checks were in place. Taxpayers' money shouldn't go down the drain!
A
Amit S.
This political tug-of-war between Centre and State is affecting poor villagers. Why can't both governments work together for people's welfare instead of playing blame games? Shameful!
S
Sunita R.
As someone from rural Odisha where MGNREGA works well, I can say proper monitoring makes all the difference. Hope Bengal implements it properly now. The court's conditions seem practical.
V
Vikram J.
The timing is suspicious - just before elections! But anyway, if this helps genuine workers get their due, I'm all for it. Just hope the money reaches the right hands this time.
N
Neha P.
MGNREGA is a lifeline for rural India. Instead of fighting, both governments should focus on making it more efficient. Maybe use technology better to track projects and payments? Just a thought!

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