June 7, 2023: The Calcutta High Court (HC) on June 6, 2023, sought reports from the Centre over non-release of funds to West Bengal under the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA). Giving the government time till June 20, the high court directed it to investigate the matter so that NREGA workers in the state were not deprived of their rights.
The HC order came while hearing a plea filed by the Pashchim Banga Khet Majdoor Samiti, an organisation focused on agricultural labourers.
While stating that the employment guarantee scheme was meant to improve the livelihood of rural households in India, a Division Bench of chief justice TS Sivagnanam and justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya also asked the West Bengal government to file an affidavit on why it should not be asked to pay for workers’ wages after March 9, 2022.
For the uninitiated, NREGA is a national social security scheme that guarantees at least 100 days of unskilled manual work in a year. The last wage instalment to West Bengal NREGA workers was disbursed on December 26, 2021, according to the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, an entity dedicated towards welfare of NREGA workers.
On May 8, the HC allowed MGNREGA workers to hold a sit-in demonstration for 12 days at the Sahid Minar Grounds in Kolkata over non-payment of wages.
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An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal, Sunita Mishra brings over 16 years of expertise to the fields of legal matters, financial insights, and property market trends. Recognised for her ability to elucidate complex topics, her articles serve as a go-to resource for home buyers navigating intricate subjects. Through her extensive career, she has been associated with esteemed organisations like the Financial Express, Hindustan Times, Network18, All India Radio, and Business Standard.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Sunita holds an MA degree in Sanskrit, with a specialisation in Indian Philosophy, from Delhi University. Outside of her work schedule, she likes to unwind by practising Yoga, and pursues her passion for travel.
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