In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has ordered the restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme in West Bengal, ending a three-year freeze on central funds. The apex court’s ruling came after the Union government’s plea was dismissed, affirming the Calcutta High Court’s earlier directive to resume payments to beneficiaries from August 1, 2025.
The Centre had halted MGNREGA funds to the state in 2022, citing large-scale irregularities and misappropriation of funds. The West Bengal government, led by the Trinamool Congress, consistently denied these allegations, calling the freeze politically motivated and punitive toward the state’s rural poor. With the Supreme Court’s ruling, over one crore registered workers across the state are expected to benefit as pending wages and new employment guarantees resume.
The verdict has sparked political reactions across the spectrum. The Trinamool Congress hailed it as a “victory for Bengal’s workers,” accusing the BJP-led Centre of weaponizing welfare schemes for political gain. The Centre, meanwhile, maintained that it will ensure accountability and transparency as the program resumes.
Legal experts say the judgment reinforces the constitutional principle of cooperative federalism and the fundamental right to livelihood. As the state heads into a politically charged year, the revival of MGNREGA could significantly reshape Bengal’s rural economy — and perhaps, the national political narrative.
