MNREGA funds suspended in West Bengal, High Court demands investigation

The Calcutta High Court has taken notice of the suspension of funds for the MNREGA scheme in West Bengal and has demanded a report from the Central government.

During the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation, the court instructed the Centre and the states to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations of money being withdrawn from fake accounts using fake names. The petition highlighted that the state is supposed to receive around 2700 crore rupees under the scheme, but the funds have been withheld, causing inconvenience to those associated with the program.

The court emphasized the need for action and instructed the central government to submit a report within 10 days. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July. The West Bengal government has consistently accused the central government of not providing the allocated funds for the MNREGA scheme.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee have voiced their concerns and even planned to visit Delhi with a memorandum signed by one crore people from the state to protest against the lack of funds.

The BJP, on the other hand, has alleged corruption in the implementation of the MNREGA scheme, claiming that Trinamool Congress supporters have been unfairly benefiting from the program. The state president of BJP, Sukant Mazumdar, criticized the state government for its alleged failure to account for the expenditure under the scheme. He emphasized the BJP's commitment to combating corruption and ensuring transparent governance.