West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday tore up a Union government note outlining new MGNREGA norms at a public meeting in Cooch Behar, even as the Centre resumed funding for the rural jobs
scheme after nearly three years.
Addressing a Trinamool Congress rally at the Ras Mela ground, Banerjee called the directive “valueless and insulting” and said Bengal would continue its own employment programme without seeking “Delhi’s charity.” She accused the BJP-led central government of using funds as a political lever to weaken the state ahead of elections.
Banerjee said the government’s letter, received two days ago, imposed “absurd and restrictive” conditions, including mandatory quarterly labour budgets starting December 6 and compulsory training before workers could be employed.
Questioning the feasibility of the timeline, she said the Centre’s instructions arrived just months before elections. “Where is the time to show it? This is December, and the election is due early next year. Then they said training has to be provided,” she told the crowd. She then tore the document on stage, adding, “When will you train and when will you give the jobs? I say this piece of paper is valueless… We don’t want your mercy. I feel it is disrespectful.”
Framing the confrontation as a battle over federal rights, Banerjee said Bengal “has never bowed its head and never will.” She alleged that despite Tuesday’s resumption of funds, the Centre still owes West Bengal Rs 51,627 crore under MGNREGA.
She claimed releases may be timed close to polls, leaving no window to implement projects. Banerjee also highlighted governance reforms under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, announcing that old-age pension benefits would now flow automatically to enrolled women without separate applications.
