NEW DELHI: Interrupted on several occasions by Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee during her reply on budget, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman Tuesday hit out at West Bengal government claiming that “anomalies” have been found in implementation of several centrally-sponsored schemes in the state.
“It is ironical that TMC , a party which prides itself on being rooted in the grassroots, now symbolises harassment and denial of rights to the people living at the grassroots,” finance minister said in Lok Sabha citing data about how “glaring lapses” have emerged in the implementation of central schemes in West Bengal.
She said TMC has institutionalised corruption, gutted institutions and Trinamool has become a by-word for exploitation. “Has TMC now become Trinamool – which means grassroots – Virodhi?”she questioned.
She said like every other State, PMAY-G has been implemented in West Bengal since 2016-17. Government has released Rs 25,798 crore as central share to the state since 2016-17. “However, (there are) complaints of irregularities in the implementation of PMAY-G, including a selection of ineligible households,” she said.
The FM said that 25 lakh fake job cards in MNREGA, funds meant for people at the grassroots have been looted by TMC cadres. “Rs 100 crore Mid-Day Meal fraud, ration mafia thriving denying people on grassroot their benefits. Ayushman Bharat was blocked and denied healthcare to the poor people living at the grassroots level. Only 43% tap water coverage vs 74% national average,” she said. The minister said that capital formation crashed from 6.7% (2010) to 2.9% in recent years. “Once India’s industrial powerhouse, Bengal is now far behind in manufacturing at 3.5% share in 2021. Bengal’s per capita income growth lags national averages for 20 years. It’s ranked 23rd in 2021-22,”she said.