Mamata Banerjee writes to PM for funds

By Our Special Correspondent

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the Centre is not releasing funds to the state for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the PM Awas Yojana, “You are aware that the wages for MGNREGA form an important part of livelihood of rural people and considering this importance, the Act mandates that the wages must be paid within fifteen days” the chief minister wrote.

It is very astonishing that the Government of India is not releasing funds to West Bengal for MGNREGA and PM Awas Yojana,” Banerjee said, according to the news agency. “You are aware that wages for MGNREGA form an important part of livelihood of rural people and considering this importance, the Act mandates that wages must be paid within fifteen days,” she added. The TMC supremo said that her government was unable to make wage payments for over four months now because of the unavailability of funds.

The chief minister claimed that the wage payment for MGNREGA in Bengal is pending for more than four months as the Centre is yet to release funds to the state to the tune of ₹6,500 crore, i.e ₹3,000 crore against the wage liabilities and ₹3,500 crore against non-wage liabilities. Banerjee said West Bengal holds the top rank in implementing the PM Awas Yojana, adding more than 32 lakh houses have been constructed since 2016-17. “Despite this performance, fresh allocation of funds to West Bengal is pending with the Ministry of Rural Development and a long list of beneficiaries is awaiting sanction in the state,” said Banerjee.

Seeking Modi’s immediate intervention, Mamata, in her letter, requested, considering the significance of the projects and the hardship being faced by people, I would request your immediate intervention and direction to the ministry concerned to release the funds without any further delay.