“Clear dues or else…”, 7-Day Ultimatum By Mamata Banerjee To Centre Over Pending Funds

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has given 7 day ultimatum to the Central Government to clear all dues related to several social security schemes including funds meant for the payment of 100-day Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), failing which Trinamool Congress will intensify their protest.

"If the central government does not clear the funds, then we (TMC) will initiate a massive protest”, said Mamata Banerjee during an off camera interaction with media persons at Bengal Raj Bhavan during the Republic Day celebrations.

According to state government the Centre owes ₹ 9,330 crore under the PMAY, ₹ 6,900 crore under MGNREGA, ₹ 830 crore under National Health Mission, ₹ 770 crore under PM Gram Sadak Yojna, ₹ 350 crore under the Swachh Bharat Mission, ₹ 175 crore for mid Day Meals, to the state along with along with other funds related to other schemes.

Earlier this week, a team of state government officials met with officials from Central government in New Delhi, following the intervention of the Prime Minister’s office. In December last year, Mamata Banerjee had met with PM Modi in New Delhi and the Prime Minister had suggested a meeting between state and central government officials to find a solution to the impasse.

Trinamool Congress National general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in October last year had taken their protest demonstration at the office of Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi, leading to a massive showdown and his brief detention by police. Trinamool Congress has sop far maintained that funds have been stopped out of political vendetta after BJP’s election defeat in the state in 2021. Union Rural development minister Giriraj Singh had claimed to have received complaints of alleged siphoning of central funds, the reason why funds were stalled pending enquiry.

State government sources claim in the last week meeting in New Delhi, the state officials have submitted all documents and a detailed report on alleged irregularities in the 100 days' work scheme and the measures taken by the state government to tackle them.​