Centre and Bengal Govt Delay MGNREGA Resumption Despite Calcutta HC Order

Quick Summary:

• The calcutta High Court ordered the resumption of MGNREGA in West Bengal from August 1, after resolving a three-year impasse.
• Despite the court’s directive, work under the scheme has yet to commence, with both state and central governments showing reluctance.
• The scheme’s suspension has been a major political issue in West bengal for three years.

– Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders accused the Center of withholding ₹3,000 crore owed under MGNREGA.
– However, TMC’s response to resuming the program post-court order has been tepid. CM Mamata Banerjee instead promoted an choice state-based employment scheme offering 50 days of work annually per household.

• BJP leaders in West Bengal opposed resumption before assembly polls and have supported fund blockage under Section 27 of the MGNREGA Act.
• Amid this political stalemate, millions of workers are facing hardship with migration outflows spiking due to lack of local employment avenues since August 1.
• PBKMS, an agricultural workers’ union that fought legally for three years for MGNREGA’s reinstatement, criticized both governments for “willful inaction” and non-compliance with judicial orders.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The continued deadlock over MGNREGA implementation underscores notable gaps between judicial directives and thier enforcement mechanisms when entangled with political interests. While millions of marginalized rural workers stand deprived amidst a growing migrant crisis in West Bengal, rigidity on both ends-state accusing stalled dues from Centre while also promoting parallel agendas; Centre alleging misuse without engaging constructively-pointedly serves neither governance nor equity principles.

This impasse risks eroding public trust not just institutionally but structurally weakening safety nets like guaranteed rural employment during economic lulls or natural calamities-a foundation cornerstone embedded when global models once lauded Indian lawmaking defining social inclusion via wage-rights. Bureaucratic adherence shouldn’t accidently become another passive-political-testament harming end-user’s impacted