“We do not want to beg to BJP”: Mamata Banerjee announces that Bengal Government will pay the unpaid MNREGA workers by February 21

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced that her government will clear the dues of at least 21 lakh unpaid MNREGA workers of the state by February 21. This comes amidst the soaring tensions between the Union government and the state over the release of West Bengal's dues from the Centre for various social welfare schemes. "By February 21, we will transfer money to bank accounts of 21 lakh unpaid MNREGA workers in West Bengal,” said Banerjee.

“We do not want to beg to BJP nor do we want BJP’s alms. By February 21, we will transfer money to the bank accounts of 21 lakh workers who did not get the money even working for three years for the 100 days work scheme for the last 3 years,” said Mamata Banerjee from her dharna site in Kolkata. Mamata Banerjee had started a ‘dharna’ (protest) on Friday in front of the B.R. Ambedkar statue in Kolkata demanding the release of funds, accompanied by several other leaders of Trinamool Congress. The dharna is set to continue till Sunday.

As per the West Bengal Government’s data, the center owes the state Rs 9,330 crore under PMAY, Rs 6,900 crore under MNREGA, Rs 380 crore under NHM, Rs 770 crore under PMGSY, Rs 350 under the Swach Bharat Mission, Rs 175 crore for midday meals. Time and again, the West Bengal state government has said that the center owes the state a sum of over Rs 1 lakh crore on account of the welfare schemes.

The Chief Minister had met with the Prime Minister in December over the release of West Bengal’s “unpaid dues.” "In a federal structure, the central government has its share and the state government also has its share. We are not getting the central share for the poor. We believe blocking the funds of the poor is not the right thing. The PM listened to us with attention and said that officers of the Centre and state will sit together and make a decision," said Mamata Banerjee after the meeting.