August 14, 2014
Derek O’Brien speaks on the Centre’s decision to implement MGNREGA in a few blocks only | Transcript
West Bengal’s approved budget for the implementation of MGNREGA in the previous financial year was Rs 6124.98 crores of which the central share was supposed to be Rs 5512 crores. The State received only Rs 2894.38 crores against the promised Rs 5500 crores.
On account of reduced funding from the centre, the state share payable fell to Rs 321.60 crores. However, the state government released an enhanced share of Rs 424.44 crores to make up for the Centre’s shortfall in an understanding that it would be adjusted during 2014-15.
2014-2015, again began with a pending liability of Rs 1962.15 crores. The first tranche of the central share was released in April 2014 and the state received only Rs 1782.99 crores, a sum not enough to cover even the Centre’s liability from the previous year. The State Government once again released an additional sum of Rs 400 crores. As of today, the Centre’s liability towards West Bengal stands at Rs 1962.67 crores.
The Ministry of Rural Development has asked states to identify 2500 backward blocks for an Intensive Participatory Planning Exercise for MGNREGA for the coming financial year. There are 124 such blocks in West Bengal. The stated objective of the exercise is to intensify planning in the identified blocks. There are apprehensions that all future MGNREGA activities would be concentrated in these blocks only. Such a measure would be against the spirit of the MGNREGA which stipulates 100 days assured employment on demand to every job card-holder.
In 2012-13, West Bengal had achieved a total man days of about 20 crores which was 109% higher than the national target. In 2013-14, the State was able to exceed its target once again. The West Bengal Government is committed to the MGNREGA program and could have made giant strides in implementing the scheme had the state not been starved of funds. The Government must implement the scheme in its true spirit and not resort to the intensification of the scheme in a few blocks to the neglect of others.
