West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee attacks Centre over MNREGA funds ahead of Dec 17 Delhi visit

Claiming that Centre owed Rs 1.15 lakh crore to West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said BJP-led NDA government should eir release funds or vacate office. Banerjee also said she has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appointment, seeking release of state's dues.

"Funds to tune of Rs 1.15 lakh crore due to Bengal will be sought... We will raise slogan that (eir) give poor people's money or leave chair," chief minister said, while dressing a public meeting in Alipurduar.

chief minister, during occasion, announced 70 projects worth over Rs 93 crore. "I will be in Delhi along with a few MPs. I have sought an appointment with Prime Minister between December 18-20 to seek release of our dues," Banerjee said. She also claimed that her government could have included more people under its social welfare schemes h Centre cleared state's dues.

‘I always keep my promise’: Mamata Banerjee

"... I always keep my promise, unlike BJP, which h promised to reopen all closed tea gardens... I could have offered social schemes to more people if we h received our dues," Trinamool Congress supremo said. CM said West Bengal's dues are pending on various accounts, including 100 days of work under MGNREGA, housing, and state's share of GST collection.

BJP leership in state has often claimed that release of funds to Bengal under MNREGA was suspended owing to its failure to submit accounts of monetary assistance provided earlier. Banerjee also said her government would offer land 'pattas' (deeds) to all tea garden workers and provide Rs 1.2 lakh to each of m for building homes.

She assured tribals of dressing ir concerns regarding ST certificate, clean drinking water and access to social schemes. Special camps would be set up to facilitate delivery of social welfare programmes for tribal people, chief minister ded.