**Summary:**
On July 22, 2025, the Ministry of Rural Development addressed Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 40 regarding the resumption of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in West Bengal. The question, posed by Smt. Sajda Ahmed and Ms. Mahua Moitra, inquired about a Calcutta High Court directive to resume MGNREGS work in West Bengal from August 1, 2025, the steps taken by the Government for compliance, and potential reimbursement to the West Bengal Government for payments made during the period when funds were frozen. In response, the Minister of Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, stated that the High Court of Calcutta issued certain orders regarding the resumption of MGNREGS in West Bengal in its judgement dated June 18, 2025. The Ministry is currently studying the High Court's order to determine the subsequent course of action. The response does not provide details on specific steps taken for compliance or whether the Government will reimburse the West Bengal Government.
Key Entities Referenced
Calcutta High Court: The High Court of Calcutta, which directed the Government to resume MGNREGS work in West Bengal.
Ministry of Rural Development: The Indian government ministry responsible for rural development programs.
Department of Rural Development: A department under the Ministry of Rural Development.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
SMT. SAJDA AHMED: Member of Parliament who raised a question in Lok Sabha.
MS MAHUA MOITRA: Member of Parliament who raised a question in Lok Sabha.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme: An Indian labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the 'right to work'.
West Bengal: A state in eastern India where MGNREGS resumption is being discussed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 40
ANSWERED ON 22/07/2025
RESUMPTION OF MGNREGS IN WEST BENGAL
*40. SMT. SAJDA AHMED:
MS MAHUA MOITRA:
Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Calcutta High Court has directed the Government
to resume Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Scheme work in West Bengal from 1st August 2025
and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps taken by the Government for timely compliance of
the said order; and
(c) whether the Government will reimburse the West Bengal
Government for payments made during the said period when
funds were frozen and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Page 1 of 2STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 40 FOR 22.07.2025.
(a)to (c): The Hon'ble High Court of Calcutta in its judgement
dated 18.06.2025 has given certain orders regarding resumption
of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
(Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) in West Bengal. The order of Hon'ble High
Court is being studied in the Ministry to decide further course of
action.
*****
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