Mamata Banerjee once again demands disbursal of MGNREGA funds from Centre

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday once again demanded disbursal of MGNREGA funds from the Centre, which have been withheld for more than one year.

"This fund for 100days work is our right and it is mandatory under the Constitution," Banerjee reiterated while addressing an administrative meeting in Birbhum district. She opined that the Centre and state should work together for developmental work.

In case of disbursal of funds owed to the states, Banerjee said that “though Centre is busy taking away our money. The rulebook states that the Centre and state have to work together. However, nothing of the sort happens under the central government. The Centre takes away all the share of taxes from the states, and then we don’t get back our share for the social scheme.”


Banerjee said, “Last year, the MGNREGA funds were reduced to some extent. But in the 2023-34 Union Budget, the same has been slashed drastically. Do not expect that they will employ people under the 100 Days’ Work Scheme.”

Banerjee has expressed her grievances over this matter and has written several letters to the Prime Minister.

The West Bengal Chief Minister recently alleged that the central government is discriminating against the state over the disbursement of MGNREGA funds and other schemes. Banerjee had also claimed the central teams are being sent to "harass the state" at a time when central funds worth Rs 6,000 crore for the MNREGA scheme is due.