April 20, 2013
On generation of mandays, West Bengal could generate 19.26 Crore mandays surpassing the target of 18.33 Crore – Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee informed the success story of the state in creating mandays on her Facebook page. The text runs as follows –
It is a matter of satisfaction to share with you about the performance of our State in MGNREGA (100 days` rural employment generation scheme) during 2012-13.
On generation of mandays, West Bengal could generate 19.26 Crore mandays surpassing the target of 18.33 Crore. It is 105.1 percent achievement – the second highest in the country.
In terms of expenditure, our State stands at the top by spending 4408.70 Crore (107.3%) over total available fund of 4108.03 Crore. Even though we have performed so well and spent funds, the corresponding Central share to meet the gap between available fund and our expenditure is yet to be released by Central Government.
Now, you tell us what does it mean? Is it not sheer politics by the Central Government, even over issues of astounding performance and development of Bengal?
Incidentally, Centre was forced to submit to the the State government`s demand to revise the daily wages under the MGNREGA for West Bengal from Rs 136 per day to Rs 151 per day. The revised rates effective from April 1, The State had written to the Centre at least nine times after the April 2012 revision to bring the NREGA rates at par with the minimum agricultural wages fixed by the state labour department at Rs 167 per day.
