According to statistics recently provided in Rajya Sabha by the Minister of State for Rural Development Ram Kripal Yadav, West Bengal generated more than 28.21 crore work days under the scheme so far and spent more than Rs 7,335.31 crore for it, reports Bharat Hiteshi
“Under @MamataOfficial’s exemplary leadership, Bengal ranked first among all States in ‘Total Persons Worked’ (Employed) in MGNREGA (2021-22). Bengal Govt. gave work to nearly 1.1 Cr people through MGNREGA! This is the #BengalModel that @narendramodi ji could only dream of!” the Trinamool Congress tweeted.
“Bengal ranked 2nd among all States in Person-Days-Generated (2021-22), having generated 36.4 Cr of person days. Rs 2,876 Cr is PENDING from the Central Govt upto March 31st, 2022. We’re still awaiting payment and wondering if the Govt spends more time sleeping or spewing venom!” the party said in another Twitter post.
According to statistics recently provided in Rajya Sabha by the Minister of State for Rural Development Ram Kripal Yadav, West Bengal generated more than 28.21 crore work days under the scheme so far and spent more than Rs 7,335.31 crore for it.
The Minister was replying to a question from Trinamool Congress MP Manas Ranjan Bhunia. He also said that Tamil Nadu occupied the second spot with 22.17 crore work days and spent Rs 5,981.75 crore. Andhra Pradesh was third with 18.16 crore work days, and funds worth Rs 5054.17 crore.
BJP ruled states slacken
Bhunia pointed out that the performance of BJP-ruled States such as Goa, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh was “not impressive.” Goa is ranked at the bottom of the list with 94,000 work days and spent funds worth Rs 2.47 crore. Gujarat generated 2.93 crore work days and spent funds worth Rs 793.50 crore, while Uttar Pradesh generated 15.6 crore work days and utilised funds worth ₹3701.54 crore.
TMC in protest mode
West Bengal’s ruling party Trinamool Congress will start a massive agitation against the Union government on the issues of MGNREGA and GST dues and BSF excesses in the border areas of the state. Soon after the upcoming by polls for one Lok Sabha and one Assembly constituency, the party would launch these protests. The by polls in West Bengal will be conducted on April 12, and the results will be announced on April 16.
Besides, the Trinamool Congress leadership will also contact the chief ministers of non-BJP ruled states and urge them to be a part of a joint nation-wide movement on the issues.
Political observers feel that this initiative is prompted by Banerjee’s long-term plan to ensure that her party plays a key role in forging a unity of the anti-BJP forces in the country.
Wondering whether the Centre spends more time “sleeping or spewing venom”, Trinamool Congress has claimed that West Bengal was yet to receive MGNREGA dues amounting to Rs 2,786 crore from the BJP-led Union government.
The party, quoting a list recently issued by the Centre, said that the eastern state has topped the chart in providing employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), giving work to 1.1 crore people in 2021-22, and has come second in generating man days under the scheme.
