The central government is likely to resolve its dispute with the state over dues related to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) following the intervention of West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose. Raj Bhavan sources gave this information. The Governor spoke to Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh on this issue after a meeting with Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders including Abhishek Banerjee. After this, Minister Giriraj Singh has promised to take action to resolve the ongoing dispute over payment of dues.
Balance amount likely to be released soon
According to sources, officials indicated that the outstanding amount is likely to be released soon but no time frame was given in this regard. However, payment of dues will be subject to certain conditions such as submission of audit report. The central government had earlier said that funds for the rural employment scheme in West Bengal were not released due to non-compliance of guidelines.
If no response is received from the Centre, the party will start a big movement: Abhishek Banerjee
The ministry had said in a statement, “Due to non-compliance of the guidelines of the Central Government, as per the provision of Section 27 of MNREGA, 2005, the amount to the state of West Bengal has been stopped from March 9, 2022.” The ruling TMC in West Bengal had demonstrated in Delhi in the beginning of October. Also, there was a protest outside the Raj Bhavan here. The party had demanded payment of ‘dues of more than Rs 2,700 crore’ during the protest. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had said on October 19 that if no response was received from the Center regarding the state’s MNREGA dues, the party would start a big movement and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would also participate in this movement.