West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced that the State government will clear the wages of 21 lakh workers of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), which have been kept pending by the Centre for the past two years., which have been kept pending by the Central government for the past two years. “Their wages will be transferred to their bank accounts on February 21,” Ms. Banerjee said addressing a gathering from a venue of a dharna she had called to protest against denial of wages under the flagship jobs scheme.
The Chief Minister made the announcement on the second day of her dharna against the Centre and said people of the State will not be deprived under any circumstances. The crowd gathered at the protest venue erupted in joy after the announcement.
“In Bengal, the poor people will not be deprived. I am there with the poor people here till the last drop of my blood. I do not have any issues. I will play the game all out and win. Khela Hobe! If all States, frontal organisations, regional parties, and national parties move forward like this, BJP’s assumption that they will continue forever will be hit,” the Trinamool Congress chairperson said.
