Calcutta High Court Directs Resumption Of MGNREGA Work In Bengal Following SC's Dismissal Of Centre's SLP

In a major development for rural workers in West Bengal, the Calcutta High Court today directed the immediate resumption of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) across the State.

The matter was taken up by the Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen. The Bench directed the Government of India and the State Government to forthwith resume implementation of the 100 Days Work Scheme, in line with the earlier judgment of the High Court dated 18 June 2025 in WPA(P) No. 237/2023.

This order follows the Supreme Court's dismissal of the Union of India's Special Leave Petition (SLP (C) No. 25528/2025) challenging the High Court's directive.

The High Court had, in June, directed the Central Government to restart MGNREGA work in West Bengal from 1 August 2025, holding that MGNREGA cannot be put in cold storage for eternity.

Case: PASCHIM BANGA KHET MAZDOOR SAMITY & ORS. v UNION OF INDIA

Advocates for the petitioners in WPA(P) 237/2023: Mr. Purbayan Chakraborty, ⁠Mr. Kuntal Banerjee

Advocates for the Petitioners in WPA(P)/157/2024: Mr. Samim Ahmed, ⁠Ms. Ambiya Khatun