West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the state will rename its job-guarantee scheme Karmashree after Mahatma Gandhi. The government will introduce a bill in the state assembly to formalise the change.
Banerjee made the announcement at the Bengal Business and Industry Conclave in Kolkata on Thursday. The decision followed the Centre’s move to rename the national rural job scheme as VB-GRAMG. The new central scheme removed Mahatma Gandhi’s name from NREGA.
The chief minister criticised the decision without naming the BJP. She said national icons deserve respect. She added that removing Gandhi’s name brought shame to the country. Later, Banerjee reiterated her stand on social media. She said the state would show what true respect for the Father of the Nation means.
Banerjee also addressed concerns over rural employment. She said the state would continue providing work even if central funds remain blocked. She stressed that West Bengal would not depend on the Centre for employment security.
The Centre has not released NREGA funds to the state. Officials said over 58 lakh workers have pending wages worth ₹6,919 crore. The state has cleared dues using its own resources.
Launched in 2024, Karmashree has generated over 101 crore person-days of work. It supports more than 90 lakh job card holders. The scheme guarantees at least 50 days of work each year.
