ATNN, Kolkata: After a six-month-long wait for a hearing, nearly 25.7 million MGNREGA workers in West Bengal were left disheartened by a Calcutta High Court order that, while addressing several issues, failed to offer any concrete relief.
The information was shared by Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity (PBKMS), an independent registered workers’ union, at a press conference held at the Kolkata Press Club following the Court’s hearing on April 10, 2025.
PBKMS had filed a petition in 2023 demanding the immediate resumption of MGNREGA work and the payment of pending unemployment allowances. With no clear directives issued by the Court, the union announced that MGNREGA workers across the state were observing the day as a ‘Black Day’.
At the press conference, PBKMS emphasized that the ongoing investigations into past irregularities cannot be used as a justification to indefinitely halt the scheme. “This is effectively punishing the workers, which contradicts the very purpose of the MGNREGA Act,” said the union.
The Court acknowledged under Section 27(2) of the Act that while misuse of funds may be probed, such investigations cannot be grounds to suspend the implementation of the scheme indefinitely. It directed the central government to submit a detailed explanation on why MGNREGA work has not resumed across most districts of West Bengal, except in East Burdwan, Hooghly, Malda, and the Darjeeling GTA region where inquiries are ongoing.
However, the order did not specify any date for resumption of work. Since March 9, 2022, MGNREGA operations in the state have remained suspended, leading to the denial of both legal and constitutional rights of crores of rural workers.
PBKMS argued that, as no work is being offered, workers are legally entitled to unemployment allowances for the entire period. The union pointed out that non-payment of this allowance is a direct violation of the law. The Court, in its order, reiterated a previous direction from October 7, 2024, asking the state to explain why it should not be directed to pay these allowances.
While the focus of the Court remained largely on corruption and fund recovery, PBKMS expressed concern that the human impact on workers was being overlooked. They highlighted that corruption allegations totaling Rs 537 crore in just four districts have led to the freezing of all MGNREGA funds in the state, depriving workers of an estimated Rs 22,500 crore in wages and work opportunities over the past three years.
The union also drew attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in rural Bengal. With no work available locally, increasing numbers of workers are migrating to southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where they often face low wages, unsafe conditions, and exploitation.
In closing the press conference, PBKMS urged both the central and state governments to take immediate steps to resume MGNREGA work in West Bengal and ensure rightful unemployment compensation is paid to affected workers.
Case Title: Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity & Anr. vs. Union of India & Ors.
Case Number: WPA(P) 237 of 2023
