West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee strongly criticised the Union government’s new eligibility rules for the 100-day job scheme under MGNREGA. Speaking at a public meeting in Cooch Behar, she said the Centre’s demand for training-based conditions was unfair, especially when the financial year is nearing its end. Banerjee claimed the Union government still owes the state over ₹51,617 crore for the scheme and asserted that Bengal “won’t beg for funds.”
She added that the state would push ahead with its own Karmashree programme and remain self-reliant if the Trinamool Congress returns to power next year. Banerjee also alleged that the BJP intended to use administrative pressure to destabilise Bengal and claimed that objecting to the SIR exercise would have led to attempts to impose President’s Rule. She urged citizens to ensure their names remain on the voter list and warned that a BJP victory would “destroy Bengal’s identity.”
