Congress, TMC, Left adopt resolution on MGNREGA; BJP opposes

KOLKATA: The West Bengal assembly today adopted a motion jointly moved by the ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition Left Front and Congress to oppose curtailment of MGNREGA projects by the Centre.

Lone BJP MLA Shamik Bahttacharya opposed the motion saying it was brought on the basis of media reports and apprehensions.

The motion was moved by Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, Leader of Opposition Surya Kanta Mishra of the CPI(M), Manas Bhuniya of Congress and some other TMC, Left and Congress members.

While speaking on the issue, Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said, as the saffron party could not reap substantial electoral benefits in the polls in West Bengal, the BJP led central government has stopped sanctioning funds for several projects under JNNURM.

"We support this motion opposing curtailment of MGNREGA projects. The Centre is giving away tax rebates to corporates and curtailing funds for 100-day work scheme. This has to stop," Mishra said.

Congress member Manas Bhuniya said the move to curtail MGNREGA projects is done with a political ploy to erase out the Congress and its good work.

"I would request the BJP government to fight Congress politically. It should not make the poor people of rural India suffer by curtailing MGNREGA," Bhuniya said.

Chatterjee too condemned the move and said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee always favoured the 100-day work scheme and had said if the state had money it would have increased it to 200 days of work.

BJP member Shamik Bahttacharya said, "We don't believe in partisan politics on the issue of development. If it is needed, we along with other political parties will go to Delhi to appeal for the cause of Bengal. But this motion was brought on the basis of apprehensions and media reports."