Agartala, January 8, 2026: Tripura Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday alleged large-scale corruption in the MGNREGA scheme during the Left regime, claiming that irregularities worth ₹17 crore were detected in Bishalgarh block. He said a case was registered against 12 individuals, including then BDO Bimal Chakraborty, and the matter is currently pending before the Tripura High Court.

Addressing a press conference, Nath accused the opposition of misleading people about the newly launched Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgyar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G). “The opposition has no political weapon left, which is why they are resorting to false and confusing statements,” he remarked.

The minister described the new mission as a major reform compared to MGNREGA. The key features include increase in guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125, stronger provisions for transparency, planning, and accountability, and focus on productive asset creation to strengthen the rural economy, boost incomes, and build resilience against natural and financial crises.

Nath said the central allocation to Tripura under the new scheme would nearly double compared to earlier levels. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for the enhanced support.

Highlighting comparative figures, Nath stated, under the UPA government, ₹2.13 lakh crore was spent on MGNREGA. Between 2015 and 2025 under the NDA, expenditure rose to nearly ₹7.8 lakh crore. “This clearly shows the NDA government has consistently taken positive steps for rural development,” he asserted.

According to Nath, in the past seven years, Tripura received ₹7,801 crore from the Centre for MGNREGA, compared to ₹6,490 crore during the last seven years of Left rule. Wages disbursed to rural workers amounted to ₹5,332 crore, up from ₹4,240 crore in the comparable Left period.

The minister emphasized that the scheme aims to promote water conservation and rural infrastructure, strengthen livelihoods and resources in villages, and introduce strict safeguards to prevent delays in wage payments, a problem often reported under the old framework.

Nath further alleged that corruption plagued MGNREGA since the UPA era. “The purpose of this new bill is to eliminate corruption, ensure transparency, create more employment opportunities, and build stronger villages,” he concluded.