Kolkata: A fresh political controversy has erupted in West Bengal after a document presented in the Lok Sabha suggested that the state government has not submitted its Labour Budget proposal under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act despite repeated reminders from the Centre. The revelation has triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties, with allegations that the delay is preventing thousands of workers from receiving their wages under the rural employment scheme.
BIG EXPOSE! TMC caught red-handed by their OWN MP!
The Lok Sabha document says it all — the Central Government has been WAITING for West Bengal's State Government to submit the Labour Budget proposal for MGNREGA, but it hasn't been done DESPITE REMINDERS!
So who is really… pic.twitter.com/UrzEitKKZZ
— Keya Ghosh (@keyakahe) March 11, 2026
The issue gained traction after a Member of Parliament from the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) raised questions related to the status of MGNREGA payments in the state. In response, the Union government tabled details in the Lok Sabha indicating that the central authorities have been awaiting the required Labour Budget proposal from the Government of West Bengal.
According to the response, the submission of the Labour Budget by states is a mandatory administrative step for planning and approving funds under MGNREGA. Without this proposal, the centre cannot allocate the required funds for wage payments and employment generation for the financial year. The document further noted that reminders had been sent to the West Bengal government regarding the pending submission.
The development has sparked a political row, with critics claiming that the delay contradicts the state government’s repeated accusations against the centre for allegedly withholding funds meant for rural workers.
MGNREGA, one of India’s largest social welfare programmes, guarantees at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to rural households willing to undertake unskilled manual work. The scheme plays a crucial role in supporting rural livelihoods, particularly among economically vulnerable communities.
Political observers say the controversy could intensify the ongoing Centre–state confrontation over welfare schemes and funding mechanisms. The Mamata Banerjee-led government has repeatedly accused the Union government of blocking payments under MGNREGA and other schemes, allegations that the Centre has denied.
With the Lok Sabha document now in the public domain, the debate has shifted to administrative accountability and whether procedural delays at the state level may be affecting the release of funds meant for rural workers.
As the controversy grows, calls are mounting for clarity on when the Labour Budget proposal will be submitted so that payments under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act can resume without further delay.
