Bengal depriving people of central scheme benefits despite COVID-19 crisis: Dilip Ghosh

Expressing concern over "ongoing agitation over ration supply" and COVID-19 situation in Bengal, BJP state unit on Monday wrote to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying people could have benefited from central schemes, h she t rejected m.

In his letter to Banerjee, which was released to press, state BJP president Dilip Ghosh said government was depriving people of benefits of two central projects PM Kisan and Ayushman Bharat Yojana -- "owing to narrow political considerations".

"It is a matter of concern that people are agitating in East Midnapore, Murshidab and rth 24 Parganas over poor quality of grains and inequate supply. Over 70 lakh farmers would get help from (Centre's) allocation of Rs 4,200 crore under PM-Kisan scheme, if state opts for it. At same time, Rs 2,714 crore allotted as income support under Krishak Bandhu scheme for year 2020-21 should also be utilised," letter said.

Ghosh urged state government to provide a financial aid of Rs 1,000 to every poor household and make arrangements for doorstep delivery of ration. He demanded free COVID-19 treatment for poor.

state can provide free treatment to underprivileged without burdening its exchequer if it signs up for Centre's Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Ghosh ted.

BJP MP said government should procure 100 per cent grains from farmers and provide m an incentive over and above minimum support price for wheat and rice. Ghosh, during press meet, pointed out that 12 hospitals in state have eir been closed partially or completely as frontline health workers re were placed under quarantine.

"From medical practitioners to police, many have been put in isolation. healthcare system is under serious stress. What is state doing? y are only delaying tests. ICMR and various or ncies have voiced concern over low testing rate in state," he said.

Bengal has reported an aver of 232.25 tests per million, far behind what ratio is in most or states.

"Double horarium and salaries given to healthcare workers, including nurses and Asha personnel, for next six months and provide m with equate safety equipment," state BJP president said in letter.

Iterating that state government is hiding actual figures of COVID-19 death, Ghosh said "this is only worsening situation".

BJP MP furr said that government should take measures to ensure that Bengal workers who have migrated to or states for work get to avail free of cost healthcare.

He suggested that government make arrangements to bring back people stuck outside state at earliest, and necessary precautions be taken to avoid contamination.

BJP leer also demanded that audit committee formed to certify COVID-19 deaths be disbanded, alleging it was constituted to conceal actual toll.

"We have requested Union Health Ministry to send ar central team to assess situation. We hope that state, in interest of people of Bengal, shall cooperate with team," Ghosh said.