‘Clear Bengal’s Dues Or…’: CM Mamata’s Seven-Day Ultimatum To Centre

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Central government to settle all “outstanding dues”, warning of a large-scale protest by the party if the demands were not met. Mamata Banerjee conveyed this message during an event at Raj Bhavan commemorating the 75th Republic Day, reported news agency PTI.

“If the central government fails to disburse the funds immediately, the TMC will launch a massive protest,” CM Banerjee said. According to the West Bengal government, the Centre owes the state substantial amounts, including Rs 9,330 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Rs 6,900 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Rs 830 crore under the National Health Mission, Rs 770 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Rs 350 crore under the Swachh Bharat Mission, and Rs 175 crore for Mid Day Meals, among other schemes.

CM Banerjee had previously met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 20 to discuss the pending central funds issue. Following the meeting, PM Modi suggested that officials from the state and Centre come together to resolve the issue of outstanding dues.

Earlier in January, a delegation of state government officials visited New Delhi and held discussions with their counterparts at the Central level. According to officials, they submitted a comprehensive report outlining alleged irregularities in the 100-day work scheme and the corrective measures taken to address them. The delegation also engaged with Shailesh Kumar Singh, the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

In November, TMC MLAs, led by the party chief, staged a protest within the state assembly premises, slamming the “delay” in the release of central funds by the Modi government. Earlier, Abhishek Banerjee, the party’s national general secretary, had staged a dharna at Rajghat in New Delhi on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, demanding the release of funds by the Centre.

Responding to the TMC’s ultimatum, senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha took a jibe at Mamata Banerjee, stating that her threat to launch an agitation followed her nephew Abhishek Banerjee’s unsuccessful attempts to rally public support on the same issue. Sinha remarked, “Bhaipo (nephew) has stopped giving calls for a movement on the same issue after finding no support among people. Now pishi (aunt) has decided to prop up the same issue which has already been rejected by the public.”