FM Sitharaman Uses Data to Counter TMC's Allegations Against Centre's Support for Bengal

New Delhi, Feb 11 (NationPress) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday referenced the significant infrastructure projects in the highways, railways, and airports sectors, along with the social welfare schemes initiated by the Narendra Modi administration in West Bengal, to counter the allegations made by the Trinamool Congress regarding the Centre's neglect of the state.

During her address in the Lok Sabha regarding the Union Budget, the Finance Minister asserted that the Centre has been consistently allocating funds to social welfare initiatives, although there have been reports of TMC members misappropriating these funds.

“The Trinamool Congress has institutionalized corruption, dismantled institutions, and has become synonymous with exploitation. Has TMC now turned into Trinamool - which signifies grassroots - Virodhi?” she quipped.

Sitharaman pointed out that like other states, PMAY-G has been in effect in West Bengal since 2016-17. The government has allocated a total of Rs 25,798 crore as the central share to the state over this period.

However, there have been allegations of irregularities in the execution of PMAY-G, including the selection of ineligible households. Reports indicate that there are 25 lakh fake job cards in MNREGA, and funds intended for grassroots beneficiaries have been embezzled by TMC members. A Rs 100 crore Mid-Day Meal scam and a thriving ration mafia have denied essential benefits to the grassroots population. Furthermore, the implementation of Ayushman Bharat has been obstructed, depriving the underprivileged of necessary healthcare services.

“West Bengal has only 43 percent tap water coverage compared to the 74 percent national average. Capital formation has plummeted from 6.7 percent in 2010 to 2.9 percent in recent years -- a direct consequence of your animosity toward investment. There are no jobs, no industries, and no vision,” said Sitharaman.

She also noted that West Bengal was once an industrial hub, contributing 24 percent to India's industrial production in 1947, but has now fallen significantly behind, contributing just 3.5 percent in manufacturing as of 2021.

“Bengal’s per capita income growth has trailed national averages for the past 20 years, placing it 23rd in 2021-22,” she added.

The Finance Minister emphasized that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has undertaken numerous initiatives for West Bengal, including the inauguration of AIIMS Kalyani in February 2024.

West Bengal has also received an unprecedented allocation of Rs 13,955 crore for railway infrastructure, with 1,293 km of new railway lines laid since 2014. Nine Vande Bharat trains are now operational, and 101 railway stations are undergoing redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Scheme.

She pointed out that the first Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal of Indian Railways has been inaugurated in the Asansol Division of West Bengal, and in June 2024, the Union Cabinet sanctioned the Jamshedpur-Purulia-Asansol third line.

Additionally, she mentioned that a 38 km Metro line was constructed since 2014 at a cost of Rs 23,050 crore in the state.

Countering the TMC's claim of discrimination by the Centre, Sitharaman stated that over 2,309 km of National Highways have been built in West Bengal since 2014. In August 2024, the CCEA approved the 4-lane Kharagpur-Moregram National High-Speed Corridor, spanning 231 km at a total capital cost of Rs 10,247 crore.

Regarding air travel, Sitharaman noted that in August 2024, the CCEA sanctioned the development of a New Civil Enclave at Bagdgora Airport, Siliguri, West Bengal, with an estimated cost of Rs 1549 crore. The operationalisation of Durgapur Airport in 2019 and Cooch Behar Airport in 2023 under RCS UDAN has occurred, along with the revamping of Bagdogra and Barrackpore Airfields at an expense exceeding Rs 500 crore.

Highlighting the advancement of social infrastructure funded by the Centre, Sitharaman reported that over 38 lakh houses were constructed for the underprivileged under PM Awas Yojana, while 93 lakh tap water connections were established under the Jal Jeevan Mission. More than 83 lakh household toilets were built under the Swachh Bharat Mission, and 494 Jan Aushadhi Kendras were also operationalized. Additionally, 5.3 crore Jan Dhan accounts were created, and over 5 crore MUDRA accounts were approved for the economically disadvantaged in Bengal.

“It is ironic that the Trinamool Congress, a party that boasts of being grounded in the grassroots (Trinamool), now epitomizes oppression and the denial of rights to the grassroots populace, i.e., ‘Trinamool,’” the Finance Minister concluded.