MGNREGA Schemes Cannot Be Withheld Due To Enquiry Into Irregular Disbursement Of Amount To Certain Beneficiaries: Calcutta High Court

The Calcutta High Court has directed the state government to consider implementing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to ensure that rural-unskilled labourers are provided with work and a source of income.

A division bench presided by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam has been hearing the present matter and appointed a task force to look into allegations of the fund money going to undeserving beneficiaries.

The court noted that pending this enquiry, the court had decided to withhold the scheme, which had led to great uncertainty for the workers.

At the present hearing, the petitioners told the court that people were suffering since for almost two years, no jobs had been allotted. 

Upon hearing these submissions, the bench stated: It needs to be pointed out that the implementation of the Scheme cannot be withheld for the reason that an enquiry is being done with regard to the payments made to the certain beneficiaries which is now being enquired into as regards any irregularity or illegality. Therefore, the respondent State shall clearly understand the dichotomy. Past actions have been enquired into and the same will be taken into the logical end but in the meantime, the provision of the scheme should be implemented as it is for the welfare of the public, more particularly the persons who are within the State of West Bengal.

Accordingly, the Advocate General sought time to seek instructions on the issue and the matter was adjourned till 14th November 2024.

Advocates for the petitioners: Mr. Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya, Sr. Adv Mr. Purbayan Chakraborty,Adv Mr. Kuntal Banerjee, Adv

Case: PASCHIM BANGA KHET MAZDOOR SAMITY AND ANR. VS UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. 

Case No: WPA(P)/237/2023

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