Cooch Behar: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday publicly tore up a document outlining the Centre’s revised MGNREGA guidelines, calling the instructions “valueless, insulting and restrictive.” Speaking at a TMC rally at the Ras Mela Ground in Cooch Behar, she accused the BJP-led central government of weaponising funds to punish Bengal and “throttle” rural welfare programmes.

Banerjee said the state received a letter from the Centre two days earlier, mandating a quarterly labour budget starting December 6 and compulsory training before employment under MGNREGA. She criticised the directives as impractical ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

“Day before yesterday, we received a letter stating that from December 6 we must submit a quarterly labour budget. They have imposed a restrictive condition… Then they said training has to be provided,” she told the crowd.
“When will you train and when will you give the jobs? I say this piece of paper is valueless… That is why I am tearing the note. I feel it is disrespectful.”

The Chief Minister announced that Bengal will roll out its own employment programme—Karmashree, which currently offers 70 days of work and, she promised, will be expanded to 100 days.
“We don’t want Delhi’s mercy… Bengal has never bowed its head and never will,” she declared, framing the confrontation as a battle for dignity and federal rights.

Mamata Alleges Centre Withheld Over ₹51,000 Crore in MGNREGA Dues

Banerjee accused the central government of intentionally halting funds under MGNREGA, PM Awas Yojana, and rural road development schemes.

She said Bengal has not received ₹51,627 crore in MGNREGA dues.
“The central government has stopped MNREGA. Even the High Court has given an order in our favour… Till 2021, we were number one in MGNREGA, Awas Yojana and rural roads. They have stopped everything out of jealousy and hatred,” she alleged.

Banerjee warned that even if the Centre releases funds just before the election, it would be too late for meaningful development.
“Even if they give it in December, the financial year ends in March. There will be no time to work,” she said.

She also alleged that:

• protest by TMC MPs in Delhi led to cases filed against them
• the special train booked for the protest was cancelled
• a “half-minister” scheduled to meet them did not turn up

Lakshmir Bhandar Reforms Announced

Highlighting the state’s social security initiatives, Banerjee announced a significant change in the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.
“You do not need to apply for old-age pension separately. Those who have enrolled for Lakshmir Bhandar will automatically get the benefit from age 25 till the end of life,” she said.