Overview
- An official Lok Sabha reply on March 10 by Minister of State Kamlesh Paswan states the Centre is awaiting West Bengal’s 2025–26 labour budget for MGNREGA despite reminders.
- The reply was issued in response to a question from TMC MP Pratima Mondal, prompting BJP leaders to cite it as evidence of state-level inaction.
- MGNREGA fund release to West Bengal was halted on March 9, 2022 under Section 27 for persistent non-compliance, including missing Action Taken Reports on verified irregularities.
- Following a Calcutta High Court order on June 18, 2025, the Centre directed conditional resumption on December 6, 2025, and a Supreme Court bench last month declined to interfere with the High Court’s order.
- Outstanding liabilities were recorded at Rs 3,082.52 crore as of March 8, 2022 subject to verification, and the state’s labour budget must be vetted by the MGNREGS Empowered Committee before funds can flow.