Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Raj Bhavan on Friday evening, describing it as a customary meeting in line with protocol.
Banerjee mentioned that during the meeting, she brought up the matter of the state’s outstanding dues with the Prime Minister.
“After conversing with him, I also raised concerns pertinent to the state,” Banerjee informed reporters post the meeting.
When questioned about the pending dues from the Centre, an issue repeatedly highlighted by the ruling TMC, Banerjee affirmed, “I addressed that issue as well.”
Prime Minister Modi, presently on a two-day visit to West Bengal, will be lodging at Raj Bhavan for the night.
Banerjee’s entourage entered the governor’s residence shortly after the Prime Minister’s arrival.
Governor C V Ananda Bose confirmed the reception of the Prime Minister at Raj Bhavan.
Bose had earlier participated in the Prime Minister’s official event at Arambagh, where Modi inaugurated, dedicated, and laid the foundation stone for various development projects collectively valued at over ₹7,200 crore.
Last December, Banerjee met PM Modi in New Delhi to emphasize the urgency of releasing the state’s dues.
According to TMC sources, West Bengal is owed ₹1.18 lakh crore by the Centre.
The Union government announced the release of two installments of tax devolution to all states on Thursday, with West Bengal receiving ₹10,692 crore, ranking fourth after Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh.
The state government initiated the payment of dues to approximately 30 lakh MGNREGA workers on Monday, totaling ₹2,700 crore, pending since March 2022.
The withholding of West Bengal’s MGNREGA dues by the Centre has been a prominent topic in the state’s political discourse for the past year.
Chief Minister of West Bengal, @MamataOfficial Ji, met PM @narendramodi. pic.twitter.com/3imP8iD0Et
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 1, 2024
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