Amid heightened political tensions, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, later describing the assembly “a courtesy name”.
“It was a courtesy name. I got here right here as I couldn’t go to RCGC (Royal Calcutta Golf Membership to obtain the Prime Minister),” Banerjee informed the media after her assembly with Modi at Raj Bhawan right here on Friday night.
The Trinamool Congress supremo, stated the assembly was much less about politics and each leaders engaged in a “chat”. She will be able to name on the Prime Minister since Lok Sabha elections dates haven’t been introduced, Banerjee stated whereas chatting with mediapersons exterior Raj Bhawan.
On whether or not she raised the problem of the State’s due from the Centre, the Chief Minister stated, “I raised that matter additionally.” She, nevertheless, didn’t reply to any political questions.
Notably, based on the Trinamool Congress authorities in West Bengal, the State has a dues of about ₹1.18 lakh crore from the Centre. It has alleged that the central authorities continued to disclaim the State’s rights in a federal polity by depriving the residents of their entitlements.
“Beneath essential rural growth programmes viz. MGNREGA, Prime Minister Awas Yojna and Prime Minister Grameen Sadak Yojna, and in addition below different essential growth programmes like Nationwide Well being Mission, XVth Finance Fee, Meals Subsidy, the central authorities has immorally withheld our due cash,” State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya had stated on February 8, whereas presenting the State funds for the monetary 12 months 2024-25.
Apparently, at a public rally in Bengal’s Hooghly district on Friday afternoon, Modi stated the State authorities was creating “hindrances” in implementing centrally-sponsored welfare schemes meant for the poor, girls, youth and farmers.
“Tasks value crores are pending on account of non-cooperation of the State authorities. The TMC authorities can be not permitting homes to be constructed for poor individuals below the centrally-sponsored scheme. The Centre is releasing funds, however the State authorities shouldn’t be utilising them correctly. The State authorities is placing up roadblocks,” he stated.
The Prime Minister, who’s on a two-day go to to Bengal, addressed the group a day after the arrest of absconding Trinamool Congress chief Shajahan Sheikh, accused of alleged sexual atrocities on girls and land grabbing at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district.
“All the nation is watching Bengal’s situation at present. All the nation is in anger and ache after seeing what TMC has performed with the sisters of Sandeshkhali,” he stated.
Modi alleged that the Chief Minister and the State authorities utilized ‘full energy to save lots of Shajahan” after the ladies of Sandeshkhali raised their voices and sought assist from Banerjee. “BJP leaders fought to save lots of the honour of the ladies. Finally, Bengal police needed to arrest the accused yesterday, dealing with large stress from the individuals and the BJP,” he added.
Following Shajahan’s arrest by the West Bengal police in reference to an alleged assault on ED officers throughout a raid earlier this 12 months, ruling Trinamool Congress suspended its strongman from the occasion for a interval of six years. An area courtroom remanded him to 10-day police custody.
