Suspension of Funds Leads to Distress Migration in West Bengal

The suspension of funds to West Bengal under MGNREGS and other schemes by the Union Ministry of Rural Development has led to severe impacts on rural livelihoods, causing an increase in distress migration. A Parliamentary Committee urges immediate release of pending funds to prevent further economic hardships.

A report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development reveals the adverse consequences of the suspension of funds to West Bengal under MGNREGS and other schemes. The panel raised concerns over increased distress migration and disruption in rural development initiatives, as funds remained underutilized.

The committee, led by Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, noted no Central funds were released for MGNREGA and related schemes for the fiscal years 2022-23, 2023-24, and the current year. This has severely impacted the livelihoods of rural populations in West Bengal, exacerbating their economic hardships.

The committee urged that West Bengal receive all due funds, except those contested in court, to ensure ongoing rural development efforts proceed unhampered. It highlighted stagnation in MGNREGS funding and recommended increased allocations to meet demand effectively.