West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday directed various departments not to start new projects apart from the essential ones.
Addressing an administrative meeting at Netaji Indore Stadium, the chief minister
said: “The government’s revenue in various sectors has declined owing to Covid pandemic in the past two years. There is no need to give up any work and start new ones. However, the projects that are for the welfare of the people have to be taken forward.”
The chief minister said that the central government has reduced its shares. “The Centre owes us more than Rs 90,000 crore. We have not received any funds from the Centre. No projects which are not approved in the budget will be taken up. The approval of the finance department and the chief secretary is required for any new project,” Mamata said.
She added that despite no central funds, the finance ministry has released Rs 74,301 crore from the planning sector in the fiscal year 2021-22, of which more than Rs 63,000 crore has been spent.
“The Centre has several sponsored schemes for which both the state and central governments have to pay. Utilisation certificate also should be given on time, so that we get our money,” CM said.
Regarding 100 days of work, Mamata said: “We are the first in 100-day work. Some districts including East Burdwan, Birbhum, Nadia and South Dinajpur are lagging behind in terms of work. The panchayat office must monitor the work. We have to make sure that people get paid on time for 100 days of work.”
Reacting to CM’s statement, BJP leader Agnimitra Pal said: “She (Mamata) has complained about financial crisis several times before and therefore, Rs 5 lakh crore was borrowed. If you want to run the government, take advice from the central government. How long will this government last by borrowing every day?”
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said: “West Bengal is on the path of financial bankruptcy. The state government will not be able to finish even the existing projects because of lack of money. The government treasury in Bengal is zero.”