Kolkata, Oct 27 (NationPress) The Trinamool Congress on Monday celebrated the Supreme Court ruling regarding the rural employment initiative in West Bengal, labeling it a momentous triumph for the region.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court upheld the directive from the Calcutta High Court to restart the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) program in the state.

The Central government had contested the Calcutta High Court ruling, but the apex court rejected their appeal.

Consequently, the ruling mandates the Centre to settle outstanding dues to the West Bengal government under the scheme, facilitating the revival of the employment initiative.

On social media, Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha leader Abhishek Banerjee remarked that the Supreme Court's decision represented a significant defeat for the BJP.

“This marks yet another decisive setback for the Bohiragoto Bangla-Birodhi Zamindars. The Supreme Court today dismissed the Central Government’s plea against the Calcutta High Court order directing the renewal of MGNREGA in Bengal. This is a HISTORIC VICTORY for the people of Bengal, who stood firm against Delhi’s ARROGANCE and INJUSTICE,” Banerjee stated.

The Trinamool leader accused the BJP-led Central government of enforcing an economic blockade on Bengal after failing to gain power in the state.

“When they couldn’t defeat us politically, the BJP chose to weaponize deprivation. They imposed an ECONOMIC BLOCKADE on Bengal, robbing the impoverished of their wages and punishing the populace for supporting Maa, Mati, Manush. But Bengal remains resilient. We committed to advocate for every rightful rupee, every honest worker, every silenced voice,” Banerjee asserted.

He added, “Today’s ruling serves as a democratic reprimand for those who thought they could intimidate, manipulate, or silence Bengal. The BJP’s arrogance has faced its reckoning. They seek power without responsibility. They take from Bengal but refuse to return her dues. Yet, they have been defeated in the PEOPLE’S VOTE and in the SUPREME COURT.”

The 100-day work initiative has been on hold in West Bengal since December 2021. The Trinamool Congress has consistently claimed that the Centre withheld funds due to political revenge, depriving the people of Bengal. Conversely, the Central government and the BJP alleged extensive corruption in the 100-day work program, suggesting that funds were misappropriated through the creation of fake job cards, thereby denying legitimate beneficiaries. This issue has escalated into a significant political confrontation between the Trinamool and the BJP, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Earlier this year, a bench including the then Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, T.S. Sivagnanam, and Justice Chaitali Chattopadhyay instructed the Centre to resume fund allocation under MGNREGA, with the stipulation that it could advise the state on measures to curb corruption.

In response to Monday’s Supreme Court ruling, the Trinamool Congress issued a statement: “The Supreme Court’s unequivocal decision signifies the conclusion of an unjust and politically motivated financial blockade. By withholding MGNREGA funds for over three years, the Central Government deprived Bengal’s rural poor of their livelihoods, an act that contravenes both morality and constitutional propriety.”

The party further stated, “It was a punitive political strategy driven by a Bangla-Birodhi Zamindari mentality that aimed to starve Bengal into submission. The Court has reaffirmed what Bengal has maintained all along -- oversight is permissible, but livelihoods cannot be choked. The Court has upheld the Calcutta High Court’s ruling in its entirety, validating Bengal’s stance as both legal and just.”

Describing the outcome as a victory for justice and a setback for discriminatory politics, the Trinamool urged the Centre to comply promptly and release Bengal’s rightful funds. “Joy Bangla,” it concluded.