Overview
- Funding to West Bengal under MGNREGA has been halted since March 9, 2022 under Section 27 for alleged non-compliance with central directives.
- The Rural Development Ministry said it is reworking and refining modalities to resume the scheme in the state, but no timeline or disbursements have been announced.
- Official replies in Parliament put pending liabilities at ₹3,082.52 crore, including ₹1,457.22 crore in wages due to registered workers for completed work.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman alleged the state issued 25 lakh fake job cards and cited a July 11, 2025 action-taken report noting ₹4.81 crore in recoveries; the TMC disputes the allegations and says compliance documents are in place.
- TMC MPs escalated protests in the Parliament complex, demanding a white paper and insisting the Centre owes West Bengal about ₹52,000 crore under MGNREGA, a figure far higher than the Union government’s stated dues.