What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: As the Trinamool Congress (TMC) sought to corner the BJP-led Central government over the allocation of MGNREGA funds for West Bengal with its protest in New Delhi, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari raised the pitch by alleging corruption by the Mamata Banerjee government.
In a meeting with minister of state for rural development, Niranjan Jyoti, Adhikari demanded an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into alleged corruption in MGNREGA and other central government schemes in West Bengal.
READ MORE: TMC flexes muscles in national capital with MGNREGA sit-in
He secured a meeting with the minister even as protesting TMC leaders, led by party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, made repeated attempts to get an appointment with her to hand over a memorandum demanding immediate release of MGNREGA funds due to the state.
During his meeting, Adhikari accused the TMC government of involvement in corruption and scandals that have had adverse effects on the state’s development and the well-being of its citizens.
FLASH: ‘Modishahi nahi chalegi, Tanashahi nahi chalegi’
TMC leaders raise slogans at Police Lines after being detained for protesting against delayed MGNREGA and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana funds after being denied meeting with MoS Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti
Reports @joymalabagchi… pic.twitter.com/7NVTSTuYkV
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) October 3, 2023
Dismissing allegations of discrimination, the BJP leader informed: “During the UPA regime, West Bengal’s government was allocated Rs 14,985 crores. However, during the BJP regime, the state received a fund of Rs 54,156 crores.”
He alleged that the TMC had been merely renaming central schemes without effectively implementing them for the beneficiaries. He also criticized the TMC for being a party associated with corruption and nepotism.
EXCLUSIVE ONLY ON THE NEW INDIAN:
TMC MP Mahua Moitra accused the Delhi Police of manhandling and dragging the protestors at Jantar Mantar.Reports @joymalabagchi pic.twitter.com/aMXJbSCc0l
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) October 3, 2023
He further alleged that the TMC had failed to properly implement the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme in West Bengal, and that there were thousands of fake beneficiaries in the list. He also alleged that the TMC had ignored the 17-point criteria of the PMAY scheme, which outlines eligibility requirements, and instead allocated houses to their own relatives.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee alleged that the Centre was withholding MGNREGA funds for political reasons, and that this was causing hardship to millions of poor people in West Bengal.
The BJP hit back, accusing the TMC of being a party of goons, nepotism, and appeasement. The BJP also said that the TMC was creating confusion and uncertainty among the people of West Bengal, and that it had no substantial agenda.
EXCLUSIVE ONLY ON THE NEW INDIAN: TMC leaders have been detained. According to TMC sources, they have been taken to Delhi Police line.
The New Indian was present at the Krishi Bhawan to witness the incident.
Reports: @joymalabagchi
Videojournalist: Shubham Gupta pic.twitter.com/ORSgDLbUue
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) October 3, 2023
