Did the Bengal Secretariat Rename the Job Scheme After Mahatma Gandhi?
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Synopsis
In a bold move, the Trinamool Congress has renamed West Bengal's job scheme to honor Mahatma Gandhi, rebuffing the Union government's recent changes to MGNREGA. This decision reflects their commitment to uphold Gandhi's legacy amid political tensions, as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee emphasizes the importance of honoring the Father of the Nation.
Key Takeaways
- Job scheme renamed to 'Mahatmashree' in honor of Gandhi.
- Protest against changes to MGNREGA by the Union government.
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee supports increasing workdays to 100.
- State government aims to ensure employment regardless of central funding.
- Reflects ongoing political tensions between state and center.
Kolkata, Dec 20 (NationPress) On Saturday, the Trinamool Congress announced a significant change by issuing a notification to rename the West Bengal government's job guarantee initiative in honor of Mahatma Gandhi. This action serves as a protest against the Union government's recent move to replace the two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), known as VB-G RAM G.
According to the notification released by the State Secretariat, Nabanna, the state's job guarantee scheme, previously referred to as Karmashree, will now be called Mahatmashree.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made the announcement regarding the renaming during her address at the inaugural session of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS)-2025, an annual event organized by the state government to promote West Bengal as a premier destination for business and investment.
"I feel a sense of shame that the Union government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chose to erase Mahatma Gandhi's name from the NREGA program. We are gradually forgetting even our Father of the Nation. If the BJP fails to honor him, we at the Trinamool Congress will take the initiative. Henceforth, our state's Karmashree scheme will carry the name of Mahatma Gandhi," said Banerjee on Thursday.
This renaming, which was initially announced on Thursday, has now received formal confirmation with the State Secretariat's notification.
Under the newly named Mahatmashree scheme, the West Bengal government aims to provide beneficiaries with up to 75 days of employment.
The Chief Minister has also expressed ambitions to extend the number of workdays under this scheme to 100 in the future.
"We have already generated a substantial number of workdays under Karmashree, which we manage with our own resources. Even if central funds are halted, we will ensure that people receive work. We are not beggars," emphasized Chief Minister Banerjee.
Point of View
The renaming of the job scheme by the Trinamool Congress not only reflects the ongoing political tensions between state and central governments but also emphasizes the importance of honoring national figures like Mahatma Gandhi. This move could resonate with voters who feel a strong connection to the legacy of Gandhi and may influence future electoral dynamics.
NationPress
21/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the job scheme renamed?
The job scheme was renamed to 'Mahatmashree' as a protest against the Union government's decision to replace the longstanding MGNREGA scheme.
What is the new name of the job scheme?
'Karmashree' has been renamed to 'Mahatmashree' by the West Bengal government.
How many days of work will beneficiaries receive?
Under the 'Mahatmashree' scheme, beneficiaries are expected to receive up to 75 days of work, with plans to increase this to 100 days in the future.
Who announced the renaming?
The renaming was announced by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the Bengal Global Business Summit.
What is the significance of this renaming?
This renaming signifies a commitment to honor Mahatma Gandhi and serves as a political statement against the current Union government's actions.
