February 9, 2023
Santanu Sen’s Zero Hour mention on February 9, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha on the amount of funds due to Bengal from the Union government
Mr. Chairman, Sir, the matter is known to you as you happened to be our learned and beloved Governor at that point of time. On 18th November, 2021, our hon. Chief Minister met with our hon. Prime Minister and thereafter, on 5th August, 2022. Once again she has given all the documents which has shown that there was a due of Rs. 1,96,800 crores. If we can categorise for the welfare projects, for MGNREGA, it was Rs. 6,561 crores; for Amphan cyclone, it was Rs. 4200 crores; for Covid and other natural calamities, it was more than Rs. 6000; for PM Awas Yojana, it was more than Rs. 9000 crores; for PM Gram Sadak Yojana, the dues were more than Rs. 2000 crores; for mid-day meal, the dues were Rs. 174 crores; for Swachch Bharat Mission, it was Rs. 344 crores; for food subsidy, it was more than Rs. 1200 crores; for the PM Jan Vikas Karyakram Yojana, it was Rs. 44 crores and the ongoing Kelaghai-Kapaleswari flood management, it was Rs. 178 crores. Since then, till now, only a meager amount has been cleared. At the same time, sometimes the funds are getting released at the fag end of the financial year leading to complications as far as the implementation of the project is concerned. As far as PM Awas Yojana is concerned, till date, we were supposed to get the first installment for more than 11,33,000 houses. As far as MGNREGA is concerned, we have seen that there has been a slash down of budgetary allocation by 33 per cent though it is the largest social welfare project. You can easily record the PM’s comment regarding MGNREGA, but unfortunately we are yet to get a huge amount for the MGNREGA project. Though West Bengal happens to be one of the best performing states, but because of political vendetta, West Bengal has been facing financial blockage from the Government of India. We have been facing several Central agencies. Mid-day meal is facing CAG audit, but PM CARES Fund is not facing any CAG audit. This is very unfortunate. As far as name changing is concerned, this Government is the pioneer of changing the names of several projects. My humble submission to the Government is this. Don’t do this vendetta politics with the best performing States like our best State, the State of West Bengal. It is doing its best under the leadership of Madam Mamata Banerjee. Kindly clearly the dues for the social welfare projects which you are supposed to clear. This is my humble suggestion before the Government. Thank you.
