After setback in SC, Rural Ministry tells PMO it may consider MGNREGS resumption in WB: Report
New Delhi: Days after a setback in the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has reportedly informed the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) that it may consider resuming the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in West Bengal under “special conditions”.
Implementation of the scheme in the state has remained suspended for over three years. The Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led West Bengal government has been repeatedly urging the Centre to release funds and restart the rural employment programme.
According to a report by The Indian Express on Wednesday, the Ministry informed the PMO last week that it may “consider” resumption of MGNREGS in West Bengal under specific conditions. The PMO had sought a report from the Ministry on the issue.
On October 27, the Supreme Court dismissed the Centre’s Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging a June 18 order of the Calcutta High Court, which had directed the implementation of the MGNREGS in West Bengal prospectively from August 1, 2025. The High Court had left it to the Centre to impose “special conditions” for implementation of the scheme in the state.
The Rural Development Ministry decided to challenge the High Court order before the Supreme Court and filed the SLP on July 31, a day before the order for implementation was to come into effect. That petition was dismissed on October 27.
The Centre had earlier invoked Section 27 of the MGNREGA, 2005, to suspend fund releases to West Bengal on March 9, 2022, citing “non-compliance with directives of the Central Government.” Since then, no MGNREGS-related work has been undertaken in the state, added the report.
Before the scheme’s suspension, between 2014–15 and 2021–22, an estimated 51 lakh to 80 lakh families in West Bengal availed employment under the flagship scheme annually.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Massive fire destroys 10 fishing boats in Kerala's Kollam
Kollam (Kerala) (PTI): Around 10 fishing boats, anchored in Ashtamudi Lake here, were gutted as a massive fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday, police said.
The incident happened in the Kureepuzha area under the Anchalumood police station limit.
According to police, the blaze was first spotted past midnight, and the boats anchored in a row caught fire.
Local people and fire force personnel pressed into action to check the further spread.
"As per the preliminary assessment, around 10 boats were destroyed completely. The exact cause is yet to be identified, but a gas cylinder blast is suspected," a police officer said.
No casualty has been reported so far, police added.
