Centre Moves SC Over Bengal’s 100 Days’ Dues

PTI, Kolkata, Aug 19, 2025: The Centre, on Monday, moved the Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta High Court order to initiate the resumption of 100 days’ work in Bengal and start clearing dues from August 1.

After a nearly three-year halt, the Calcutta High Court on June 18 had directed the Centre to prospectively implement the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme in West Bengal, starting from August 1, 2025.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee attacked the Centre over the move and called the BJP-led government “anti-people”. He alleged that the Centre moved the Apex Court only to avoid paying dues to Bengal, thereby affecting poor people who depend on the 100 days’ work for wages.

The bench of the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court had strongly criticised the allegations of corruption associated with this project and provided clear instructions. It was mandated that priority should be given to providing employment to the poor and the general public, and that the 100 Days Work Scheme be launched in the state.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee (Das) issued the directive while hearing an ongoing matter regarding the non-payment of wages to daily wage labourers.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Sivagnanam observed orally:

“All these allegations are from before 2022. You do whatever you want, but implement the scheme.”

The Bench emphasised the importance of separating past irregularities from the urgent need for future implementation, especially in the public interest.

The Supreme Court has accepted the case, and a hearing is expected to take place within this week.