Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Writes To PM Modi, Seeks Release Of MGNREGA, PMAY Funds

“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.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. (File Photo)

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating the Government of India is not releasing funds to the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-ruled state for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), ANI reported. Banerjee in her letter requested Prime Minister Modi’s immediate intervention and direction to the concerned ministry to release the funds “without any further delay”.

“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.

“In West Bengal, wage payment is pending for more than four months as Government of India is not releasing funds to the state to the tune of nearly Rs 6,500 crore -- Rs 3,000 crore against wage liabilities and Rs 3,500 crore against non-wage liabilities,” she wrote in her letter.

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.

“Considering the significance of the projects and the hardships being faced by the common people, I would request you for your immediate intervention and direction to the concerned Ministry to release the funds without further delay,” she added.