Trinamul highlights Centre’s economic blockade on Bengal
The Statesman | 24 July 2025
Trinamul Congress today came down heavily on the NDA-led Centre for causing economic blockade to Bengal though only two fake job cards were found during investigation as against 58,826 fake cards under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA scheme in the country.
Of these fake job cards, 42,738 fake job cards were found in NDA-ruled states, Trinamul leaders alleged.
The party further alleged that the top four states with highest number of fake job cards, including Bihar with 8,111 fake cards, Odisha with 7,566 fake cards, Assam with 7,341 fake job cards and Chhattisgarh with 6,888 fake job cards.
Thousands of fake job cards were cancelled in UP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
The leaders alleged that Narendra Modi government has withheld Rs 36,095 crore in MGNREGA funds meant for Bengal. The scheme is completely halted in the state. Even after the high court ordered the MGNREGA’s resumption from 1 August, the ministry of rural development said it is still “to decide further course of action.”
It may be recalled that Trinamul Congress chairperson and chief minister Mamata Banerjee had written three letters to the Prime Minister seeking his intervention in the matter. The state government has cleared the dues of the job card holders from its coffer. The state government has started Karmashree, where work for 75 days is assured. Trinamul Congress leaders said: “Such economic blockade is uncalled for, showing the divisive policy of the BJP to take revenge against Bengal after the party lost elections here.”