Calcutta High Court Orders Resumption of MGNREGA in West Bengal from August 1

In a major relief to lakhs of rural workers, the Calcutta High Court on June 18, 2025, directed the Central Government to resume work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in West Bengal starting August 1. This ruling comes after a nearly three-year halt in the scheme’s implementation in the state due to alleged corruption and non-payment of wages. The court underscored that the Act cannot be left in “cold storage for eternity,” and emphasized the right to livelihood of over 25 million rural workers.

Why in News?

The Calcutta High Court’s intervention is significant due to The three-year suspension of MGNREGA work in West Bengal. Pending wage issues and halted work permits since March 2022. Ongoing litigation citing violation of fundamental rights of rural workers. Affected livelihoods of millions of vulnerable households in the state.

Timeline and Background

• December 21, 2021: Centre stopped payment of wages citing corruption under Section 27 of MGNREGA.
• March 2022: Issuance of new work permits stopped.
• June 18, 2025: Calcutta HC directs resumption of work under MGNREGA by August 1, 2025.

Court Observations

• The Division Bench of Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee stated the scheme must not be permanently halted due to past irregularities.
• “There can be a line drawn between past actions and future steps,” the court emphasized, prioritizing public interest.

Impact and Significance

• Nearly 2.5 crore (25 million) workers expected to benefit.
• Scheme’s resumption restores employment, rural income, and social dignity.
• Estimated annual economic loss of ₹5,000 crore during the non-implementation period, according to NREGA Sangharsh Morcha.

Legal and Civil Society Intervention

• The petition was filed by Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity (PBKMS), a rural workers’ union.
• Advocate Purbayan Chakraborty represented the petitioners, stressing the fundamental right to livelihood.

Government’s Position and Investigation

• The Centre cited irregularities under Section 27 of the Act as the reason for halting disbursements.
• The court has allowed investigations to continue but has mandated resumption of fresh work.

Grassroots Voices

• Anuradha Talwar, from NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, welcomed the decision as a victory for rural labour rights.
• The ruling was praised as the result of persistent activism and legal advocacy over the years.