In a strong political statement, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Thursday that the state's Karmashree scheme will be renamed in honour of Mahatma Gandhi. This move comes as a direct response to the Centre's decision to replace the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a new legislation.
A Retort to the Centre's Legislative Move
The announcement was made during the state government's Business Conclave in Kolkata on December 18, 2025. Banerjee's decision is a pointed critique of the Lok Sabha passing the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill during the winter session of Parliament. This new bill seeks to replace the MGNREGA, which has guaranteed 100 days of employment in rural areas since 2005.
"The removal of Gandhiji's name fills me with deep shame," Banerjee stated. "A Bill has been introduced that removes the name of Mahatma Gandhi from MGNREGA. Are we now forgetting even the Father of the Nation? We have therefore decided to rename our Karmashree scheme after Mahatma Gandhi." She emphasised that the act was about seeking respect and demonstrating how to truly honour Gandhi's legacy.
Defending Bengal's Record and Calling for Unity
Beyond the symbolic renaming, the Chief Minister mounted a vigorous defence of her government's performance. She challenged critics to find another state that provides 95 social security schemes for the poor, covering needs from birth to death. Targeting the BJP-led central government without naming it explicitly, she cited Niti Aayog data claiming her administration had generated two crore jobs and reduced unemployment by 40 percent.
Banerjee also appealed for political unity, addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly: "I want PM Modi to live a long life. But, please don't do anything wrong that might give you a befitting reply in the future. Please remember, if we are one, our country is strong. Division is not the solution." She advised political opponents to be "positive" and sensible, stating that "silence is a big strength, and jealousy has no cure."
Spotlight on Bengal's Economic Progress
The Business Conclave served as a platform to showcase West Bengal's industrial growth. Banerjee asserted that the state ranks first in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and is witnessing significant expansion in the Information Technology sector. She revealed that work on the massive Deocha Pachami coal block project had begun, a venture expected to generate one lakh jobs.
Banerjee accused certain quarters of circulating fake news and videos from other states to malign Bengal's image as a peaceful destination. She announced that the Bengal Global Business Summit would be held after the upcoming elections, and the process for setting up a Special Investment Region (SIR) was underway.
The conclave also saw endorsements from industry leaders. RPSG chairman Sanjiv Goenka praised Banerjee's "decisive leadership" for enabling rapid investment. He disclosed that his group had invested Rs 26,500 crore in the state in recent years, with plans for a Rs 12,000 crore, 5,000 MWh energy storage facility.
Through her announcements and rhetoric, Mamata Banerjee positioned the renaming of the Karmashree scheme as both an act of reverence for Gandhi and a defiant counter-narrative to the Centre's policies, while vigorously promoting Bengal's economic credentials to a business audience.
