'Centre Owes Bengal Rs 6,000 Crore For MGNREGA Scheme', Says CM Mamata Banerjee

According to Banerjee, the Centre owes West Bengal Rs 6,000 crore for the scheme.

Mamata Banerjee alleged that Centre owes West Bengal Rs 6,000 crore for MGNREGA scheme.

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the BJP-led Union government of discriminating over the distribution of MGNREGA funds.

According to Banerjee, the Centre owes West Bengal Rs 6,000 crore for the scheme.

"The central government is not releasing MGNREGA funds to West Bengal. It owes us Rs 6,000 crore. BJP-ruled states, however, are getting funds for the 100 days' work scheme," she said at an administrative review meeting at Sagardighi in Murshidabad district.

"Why is West Bengal facing such discrimination despite being number one in MGNREGA implementation? We are running the scheme without any central assistance," she added.

On the visits of central teams to West Bengal to oversee the implementation of various schemes, Banerjee alleged they were being sent "to harass" the state government.

"A central team is sent to West Bengal even if a firefly enters a BJP leader's house. Why are such teams not sent to Uttar Pradesh, Delhi or Gujarat over any incident? The Union government is harassing West Bengal by sending central teams over trivial matters," she further added. 

Meanwhile, Banerjee would visit Meghalaya on January 18 to address an election rally in the North Garo Hills district, the party said on Sunday.

A Trinamool Congress spokesman said that in her second visit to the hill state, Banerjee would address a public meeting at the Dilma Apal Playground, Mendipathar in North Garo Hills.

To woo the electorates, in December last year, Banerjee was on a two-day visit to the capital city of Shillong where she promised to launch Trinamool Congress’ Meghalaya Financial Inclusion for Women Empowerment (MFI-WE) if the party is voted to power after the polls.

The Trinamool Congress is the first party in Meghalaya that recently declared their candidates for 52 of the total 60 seats.

(With inputs from agencies)