Tue Oct 28 05:54:06 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:

Summary:

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed the Union Government’s petition challenging the Calcutta High Court’s order to resume the MGNREGA scheme in West Bengal, effective August 1, 2025. The scheme had been suspended since 2022 due to allegations of financial irregularities. Agricultural unions and political parties in West Bengal have welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision. They view it as a victory for rural workers and a reaffirmation of their right to work. While the TMC hailed it as a victory against the BJP’s “economic blockade,” the CPI(M) criticized both parties, highlighting the delay in resuming the scheme and alleging a tacit understanding between them. The suspension of MGNREGA for nearly four years has significantly worsened rural distress in the state.

News Article:

Supreme Court Upholds Resumption of MGNREGA in West Bengal, Ending Years-Long Suspension

KOLKATA, October 28, 2025 – The Supreme Court of India has delivered a significant blow to the Union Government, dismissing its petition against the Calcutta High Court’s directive to restart the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme in West Bengal. The decision, announced yesterday, paves the way for the scheme’s resumption from August 1, 2025, following a suspension since 2022 due to alleged financial irregularities.

The ruling has been met with widespread jubilation by agricultural workers unions and various political parties across West Bengal. Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity (PBKMS), the union that initially petitioned the Calcutta High Court for the scheme’s revival, hailed the verdict as “a decisive victory for Bengal’s rural workers” and a reaffirmation of the “Right to Work.”

The Calcutta High Court, in its original order, emphasized that the MGNREGA Act “does not envisage a situation where it would be put to cold storage for eternity,” while also acknowledging the Central Government’s right to investigate past irregularities.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has lauded the Supreme Court’s decision as a “historic victory” for the people of Bengal, accusing the BJP-led Union Government of imposing an “economic blockade” on the state. In contrast, the CPI(M) State Secretary, Md. Salim, criticized both the BJP and TMC, alleging a “tacit understanding” that led to the prolonged delay in restarting the scheme.

Experts have pointed out that the nearly four-year suspension of MGNREGA has had a devastating impact on rural West Bengal, exacerbating economic distress. The scheme had approximately 70 lakh job card holders in the state before its suspension. The future impact of the order is to be determined.

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