KOLKATA: The Center has appealed to the Supreme Court on Monday to challenge the Calcutta High Court order to initiate the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) in West Bengal. The Calcutta High Court had issued an order to start the 100 Days Work Scheme (100 Days Work) in Bengal. The bench of the Chief Justice of the High Court strongly criticized the corruption allegations involved in the project and gave clear instructions. Priority was ordered to give priority to the employment system of the poor and general public and from August 1, 100 days work scheme (100 days work) was to be launched in the state.
However, after a long time, on Monday, the central government approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court’s order. The Supreme Court has accepted the case and it is known that the hearing is likely to be held by this week.
A division bench of Calcutta High Court Chief Justice TS Shivjnanam and Justice Chaitali Chattopadhyay Das said on the basis of a case of the state government two months ago that the central government can impose any condition to prevent corruption. However, 100 days of work (100 days work) should be resumed under Monrega.
The entire project cannot be postponed indefinitely. Many people living below the poverty line make their living through this work. It is essential to continue this work in public interest. The High Court had ordered this work to resume from August 1, yet the work has not started even after 18 days of the month.
For the past three years, BengaliMahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee SchemeNot getting funds for pending work under 100 days of work under this. The amount of outstanding money has increased significantly. In this regard, the state ruling party leader Abhishek Banerjee has expressed his concerns with his MPs consistently.
Trinamool Congress representatives have also presented their demands in Delhi, accusing the authorities of depriving the workers of their fair dues. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has personally requested the Prime Minister and the Union Agriculture Minister to settle the dues. However, the stubborn Trinamool Congress of the central governmentPeople-oriented projectseffectively failed all efforts to maintain.
In response to the 100-day (100 Days Work) action plan, the central representatives responded to corruption allegations in various districts. On Monday, the central government approached the Supreme Court and challenged the High Court’s order. It remains to be seen what direction the Supreme Court gives during the hearing on this matter.