&w=3840&q=100)
Centre reviews HC order to resume MGNREGA in West Bengal from August 1
They said the order is being studied in detail to understand all the nuances after which a formal stand could be taken.
The Kolkata HC, in an order issued on Wednesday, directed the Centre to resume the MGNREGA scheme in the state that has been stalled since three years, but with some riders.
The Court, while asking the Centre to restart the scheme, also allowed it to impose any condition or restriction that it deems necessary so that corruption that occurred previously is not repeated.
The HC's order was passed following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that claimed the poor were being denied their legitimate entitlement under the Act, which guarantees 100 days of employment per year to rural households.
A division Bench comprising Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee Das issued the order.
The Bench noted that neither the Centre nor the State had taken any action against those involved in the alleged corruption, which had delayed the scheme's implementation in West Bengal.
Both the ruling Trinamool Congress and Opposition BJP claimed victory, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saying that the Centre wants to restart all the social welfare programmes stalled in the state since the last three years.
BJP also welcomed the order saying that the control of the scheme will now rest with the Centre, and there won't be any retrospective payments and genuine beneficiaries will be included in MGNREGS not ghost workers. It added that the order also meant that all recovered money from the mishandling of funds will go back to the consolidated fund of India.
The Left-affiliated All India Agricultural Workers Union said that the verdict is the result of the continued struggles of the agricultural workers of West Bengal and unity of the workers, peasants, and agricultural workers.
The union government had been withholding MGNREGS funds for West Bengal by imposing Section 27 of the Act that allows it to stop funds for violation of rules in implementation of the scheme by the State.
The section was first invoked in December 2021 alleging large-scale corruption and violation of guidelines.
In a parliament reply made in July 2022, the ministry of rural development had acknowledged that on account of non-compliance of its directives, as per provision of Section 27 of MGNREGA, the release of funds to the State of West Bengal has been stopped. At that time, the pending liabilities for MGNREGS wages was estimated at ₹2,605 crore.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
12 minutes ago
- Indian Express
States raise revenue loss concerns: GoM backs Centre's plan for GST rate rationalisation
The Group of Ministers on Rate Rationalisation gave its in-principle support Thursday to the Centre's proposal to overhaul the Goods and Services Tax (GST) design, even as member states raised concerns about potential revenue loss on account of the rate rationalisation. Six days ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, announced the next big phase of reforms under the GST regime by Diwali, a gift for the common man, small entrepreneurs and MSMEs, in terms of reduced tax burden. The Centre has suggested replacing multiple slabs – 5 per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 28 per cent – with a broad two-slab structure – 5 per cent and 18 per cent – in addition to a 40 per cent special rate for sin and demerit goods. States said they do not oppose the 'pro-people' proposal, but it may result in revenue losses that will ultimately leave them with less resources to spend on common people in their regions. While Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister and GoM convenor Samrat Choudhary spelt out the panel's support for the GST overhaul proposal, he said observations made by states will be referred to the GST Council. Detailed discussions on items will be taken up in the Council, he said. 'We have deliberated upon the Centre's proposal to remove the two GST slabs, we have given our support and recommendations. Now, the GST Council will decide. All states gave their views, there were some observations by some states. Those will be referred to the GST Council,' Choudhary said. The differing views and observations of states on revenue loss and concerns over profiteering by manufacturers and companies will be part of the note that the GoM will send to the Council along with the Centre's proposal. Some states were also of the view that the work done by the GoM over the last few years will now essentially be wasted as they would be simply handing over the Centre's proposal to the GST Council. 'We have neither approved nor rejected it. Centre cannot give its proposal directly to the Council, so we will be just handing over the Centre's proposal to the Council,' a top state government official told The Indian Express. States are learnt to have sent their suggestions for the GoM's note on a mechanism to compensate states that will address their revenue loss concerns. States are anticipating annual revenue loss of Rs 6,000-10,000 crore, the official said. West Bengal's Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya echoed a similar view and said they are 'okay with the pro-people proposal' but it is not an agreement. The Centre's proposal has not outlined the figure for revenue loss on account of the GST rate rationalisation and the proposal should not move ahead without detailing a mechanism for compensating states for revenue loss. 'It's not an agreement in that way. If it's there, it is okay. If it is pro-people, then it's okay. But it has to be discussed in the Council's meeting also. There is no benefit in discussing it item-by-item in the GoM meeting. It will be discussed item-by-item in the (GST) Council meeting. While presenting a report to the GST Council, they will give a note of what we have said,' she said. Bhattacharya said no state had any issue in accepting the pro-people GST overhaul proposal. 'All states are pro-people. There is no doubt about it. It's nothing to talk about in politics. They are pro-people, let us take it for granted. But when the states lose their revenue, that also ultimately goes back to common people. That has to be looked into. That is what we have said,' she said. 'Because to give relief to common people should not mean that there isn't much left to spend on them after that, we have to think about that. That's why we have said that while you give the presentation, you must quantify it (revenue loss),' she said. She also said that ministers from BJP-ruled states have concurred with the suggestions. 'But we have said we are there, if it benefits people, we are okay. On the one hand it reaches people and on the other hand see what is the loss we (states) are facing. Ultimately if a state suffers any loss, that ultimately boils down to the suffering of the common man,' she said. Uttar Pradesh's Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said the Centre's proposal was welcomed by all member states saying it is in the interest of the common man. 'States were asking that they should be compensated for revenue loss. The revenue loss will be calculated. Ultra luxury goods and sin goods will attract 40 per cent,' he said. Revenue loss concerns of states stem from the plan to prune the list of items in the 12 per cent slab and shift them to 5 per cent. There is also a concern that most items the existing 28 per cent slab. The Centre plans to introduce a special rate of 40 per cent, which will apply only to 5-7 sin, demerit and luxury items. States revenue loss concerns stem from the plan to prune the list of items in the 12 per cent slab and shift them to 5 per cent. There is also a concern that most items in the existing 28 per cent slab will shift to 18 per cent slab except sin and demerit goods. The Centre plans to introduce a special rate of 40 per cent, which will apply only to 5-7 sin, demerit and luxury items. Some states have suggested amending the GST laws to allow for an additional levy going beyond the current cap of 40 per cent (20 per cent Central GST plus 20 per cent State GST). Some of the items right now attract GST of 60-70 per cent, Bhattacharya said, adding that the law should be amended to ensure that the current tax incidence, especially on sin goods, remains at the current level.
Indian Express
12 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Bombay HC judges to watch film on UP CM Yogi Adityanath before deciding on plea by makers
The Bombay High Court on Thursday said that it will watch the movie purportedly based on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath before passing orders on the plea by its makers, alleging delay and refusal of certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The court directed movie makers to submit a copy of the film by marking scenes or portions against which objections have been raised by the CBFC. Samrat Cinematics India Pvt Ltd, the makers of the movie, Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi had approached the HC last month. The petitioner had said that the movie, inspired by the book, 'The Monk Who Became Chief Minister', authored by Shantanu Gupta, was scheduled to be released in theatres on August 1. The makers had also argued that the book, which formed the inspiration for the movie, has been officially endorsed by the UP Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The petitioner, through the plea filed last month, alleged that the CBFC had delayed in processing its application for the film, teaser, trailer and promotional in an 'unreasonable' manner . They claimed that while they applied for certification of the film on June 5, the CBFC was required to examine their application within seven days and refer it for screening within 15 days, however, no action was taken for nearly a month. After the HC's directive of August 1 to CBFC to watch the film and take a decision on certification, the Board on August 6 passed an order, refusing to certify the movie, stating that it violated the Guidelines for Certification of Films for Public Exhibition. On August 7, a bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela K Gokhale directed the petitioner to file application before Revisional Committee of CBFC and asked the Board to inform the objectionable contents or dialogues in the film to petitioner by August 11. The petitioner was asked to communicate whether the makers intended to delete or rework the parts of the film. The CBFC panel raised 29 objections. However, the makers could not respond to the Board on changes by August 12, after which the CBFC's revising committee proceeded to watch the film. The panel dropped 8 of the objections but on August 17 refused to certify the film. Thereafter the petitioners amended their plea to challenge the Revising Committee's rejection. On Thursday, senior advocate Abhay Khandeparkar for the CBFC informed the HC that it had followed principles of natural justice during the process and the movie makers can still file an appeal before the HC under Cinematograph Act. However, senior advocate Ravi Kadam for the makers argued that Revising Committee's decision violated the petitioner's fundamental rights and the Board had arbitrarily directed the makers to obtain NOC from the private individual (Yogi Adityanath) before the film could be cleared to be released. The HC remarked that even if the makers had an alternative remedy to file an appeal it will have to ascertain whether present writ plea was maintainable. The court expressed displeasure over the manner in which the CBFC dealt with the issue and said that it should have followed principles of natural justice in the beginning and it should be done for every film, however, the Board failed to do so. The judges said they will watch the movie to decide on passing further orders and posted further hearing to August 25.
The Hindu
12 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Environment Department appeals to public to immerse only eco-friendly clay idols
With the High Court of Karnataka recently stating that it expects the State government to implement the government's order of banning manufacture, distribution, and sale of idols made from Plaster of Paris (PoP) in accordance with the law, Forest, Ecology and Environment Department has appealed to the public to immerse only eco-friendly clay idols in the water bodies. The government had issued an order on September 15, 2023, banning the manufacture, transportation, sale and disposal of PoP idols. Under Section 33(A) of the Water Pollution (Prevention and Control) Act, 1974, the immersion of PoP idols in any water source including rivers, lakes, ponds, dams and wells of the State is prohibited. Hazardous elements 'PoP Ganesh idols are made from powder containing calcium, sulphate, and hemihydrate. It contains many hazardous elements including sulphur, phosphorus, gypsum and magnesium. Such idols are coated with chemical paint containing mercury, cadmium, lead and carbon. When they are immersed in lakes, wells and rivers, heavy metals dissolve and affect the health of people and livestock. Besides, it also leads to the death of aquatic animals,' said Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre. Recently a division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi passed the order while disposing of a petition filed by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), which had sought a direction to the Urban Development Department (UDD) and other authorities of the State to implement the notification issued on September 15, 2023, banning PoP idols The Minister said that the High Court has directed that this government's order be strictly implemented. 'In this context, the public has been requested to worship eco-friendly clay idols and save the environment,' he said. Activists and environmentalists have also welcomed the High Court's direction to the State authorities to enforce a ban on PoP idols. However, despite the ban by State government on the manufacturing of idols, they are available in markets. 'Unless you cut it at the source, their sale will continue. Manufacturers should be penalised heavily. Even if manufacturing of the idols are banned in the State, they are available in the neighbouring States. They should be stopped at the border and also an appeal should be made to the neighbouring States to not to allow them to manufacture these idols which are highly polluting. Until this happens people will have access to these idols,' said T.V. Ramachandra from the Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc. Another activist, who did not wish to be named, said that this issue props up only during the festive season and that there should be year-long vigil by the concerned agencies so that no manufacturing of PoP idols happens in the State.
