TMC's Kunal Ghosh accuses BJP of withholding funds due to 2021 Assembly Poll loss
Jul 31, 2024
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 31 : Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for withholding funds for the 100-day wage employment scheme, attributing it to the BJP's loss in the 2021 Assembly polls.
Ghosh highlighted that TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee had requested Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to release a white paper detailing budget allocations to West Bengal, a demand that remains unmet.
"The central government has not provided funds for the 100-day wage employment scheme, forcing the Chief Minister to disburse Rs59 lakh from state funds. They cite irregularities to justify withholding funds while BJP-ruled states like UP, Odisha, and MP receive money. We will continue our protest inside and outside Parliament until funds are released for the 100-day wage employment scheme and the housing scheme," Ghosh stated.
Ghosh insisted that Sitharaman must produce the white paper requested by Banerjee.
"In the last four financial years, the BJP has collected Rs4.64 lakh crores in taxes from West Bengal, with pending dues exceeding Rs1.71 lakh crores. We need a white paper on funding for MGNREGA and the housing scheme. The protest will intensify under CM Mamata Banerjee and MP Abhishek Banerjee," he added.
Earlier, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee questioned why Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had not issued a white paper on budget allocations to West Bengal.
Speaking to ANI, Banerjee said, "I can say something; BJP ministers and leaders can say something; it may be right or wrong, but papers never lie. After losing in Bengal in 2021, the BJP hasn't provided funds for the 100-day wage employment and housing schemes. The list of 11,36,000 people awaiting housing from the state government has been pending for over a year and a half. If funds have been allocated, I urge the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and every member of the Modi government's cabinet to release a white paper and reveal the truth."
