Mamata Banerjee to bring bill to rename Karmashree scheme after Mahatma Gandhi

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said her government would bring a bill to rename the Karmashree scheme after Mahatma Gandhi, amid a political row over the MGNREGA naming issue. She said the proposal would be placed before the state Cabinet.

Speaking at a business conclave in Kolkata on Thursday, Banerjee criticised the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from MGNREGA. She said the decision caused her deep shame and questioned whether the country was forgetting the Father of the Nation.

Banerjee said the state had decided to act with dignity and respect. She added that the government would demonstrate how to honour Mahatma Gandhi by renaming its rural employment scheme. She said the move sought respect, not confrontation.

Sources in the state government said Banerjee would formally bring the Karmashree scheme renaming bill at the next Cabinet meeting at the state secretariat. Officials said the proposal would follow due legislative process.

BJP responds to Karmashree scheme renaming decision

Reacting to the announcement, West Bengal BJP chief and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya criticised the Trinamool Congress. He alleged misuse of central funds during earlier schemes named after Gandhi.

Bhattacharya said the BJP had shown true respect to Mahatma Gandhi. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives reflected Gandhi’s vision and ideals.