July 25, 2018
Subhasish Chakraborty speaks on funds owed by Centre to Bengal
FULL TRANSCRIPT
A total amount of Rs. 9,959 crores which have been earmarked for development have not yet been transferred to the West Bengal government by the Centre.
This total amount is distributed over 16 separate heads. This amount includes Rs. 3830 crore on account of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rs. 790 crores under the Mid Day Meal scheme and Rs. 609 crores due on account of good performance. Additionally, there remain a number of other schemes under which lawful grants from the Centre have not yet been sent to the State of West Bengal.
As a result, a large amount of money is due under Urban Renewal Mission, National Urban Employment Scheme, Swachh Bharat and other programmes.
This amounts to a denial of the State’s rights. The people of the State of West Bengal have been deprived of their due. It is out of the taxes paid by the people of the States that these funds are given by the Centre.
It is imperative that these funds be transferred to the State of West Bengal on an urgent basis. In the absence of such a transfer, important and key development programmes of the government will continue to remain on hold and the people of the state will be denied the promise of development.
