Mamata Threatens Massive Protest in 7 Days if Centre Fails to Clear Dues

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief, Mamata Banerjee, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Centre, demanding the clearance of all pending dues to the state. In the absence of a resolution, the TMC has threatened to launch a massive protest.

Banerjee conveyed this ultimatum during a program at Raj Bhavan, held to celebrate the 75th Republic Day. She emphasized that if the central government fails to clear the funds owed to the state, the TMC will initiate a large-scale protest.

According to figures provided by the West Bengal government, the Centre owes the state substantial amounts under various schemes, including Rs 9,330 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Rs 6,900 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Rs 830 crore under the National Health Mission, Rs 770 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Rs 350 crore under the Swachh Bharat Mission, and Rs 175 crore for Mid-Day Meals, among other allocations.

Banerjee had previously met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 20 to discuss the issue of pending central funds. Following the meeting, Modi proposed that officials from both the state and the Centre could collaborate to address the issues.

In recent developments, a delegation of state government officers visited New Delhi to meet their central counterparts, submitting a detailed report on alleged irregularities in the 100 days' work scheme and the measures taken to address them. The delegation also had discussions with Shailesh Kumar Singh, the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

This ultimatum follows previous protests by TMC MLAs within the state assembly premises in November, expressing discontent over the delay in the release of central funds by the Modi government. The TMC's national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, also led a protest dharna at Rajghat in New Delhi on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary, demanding the release of funds by the Centre. The ongoing tensions highlight the financial disagreements between the West Bengal government and the central authorities.

(With Agency Inputs)