Mamata Meets Narendra Modi at His Home in Delhi, Hands Him Letter on NREGA Funds

Mamata Banerjee is on a four-day visit to Delhi, which commenced on Thursday, 4 August.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in Delhi on Friday, 5 August.

(Photo Courtesy: PMO)

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in Delhi on Friday, 5 August.

The West Bengal CM handed a letter to Modi requesting the release of funds due to the state under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Act (MGNREGA), PM Awas Yojana, and PM Gramin Sadak Yojana.

In the letter, Banerjee wrote, "Fund due from the Central Government on these schemes now is about Rs 17,996.32 crore."

Banerjee is also reported to have discussed multiple issues, including Goods and Services Tax dues for her state, during the meeting.

Banerjee had reached Delhi on Thursday for a four-day visit. She is also scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu on Friday.

‘A Substantial Amount Is Owed to Bengal,’ CM Writes to PM Modi

Requesting the release of funds due to West Bengal, Banerjee said in her letter to Modi, "State Government is complying with all the directions of the Central Government. However, funds have not yet been released, thus creating a huge blockade to implementation of the schemes and putting the rural people in great distress."

"Furthermore, a substantial amount is also due to West Bengal from the Central Government, on account of many important development and welfare schemes, relief and restoration work, devolution of taxes, performance grant under the 14th Finance Commission, etc. In fact, the amount due to the State from the Central Government as on 31st July, 2022 has been estimated to be around Rs 1,00,968.44 crore."

Mamata Banerjee's letter

The TMC chief had met party MPs on Thursday to discuss the ongoing session of Parliament and the strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, sources told news agency PTI.

During the meeting, she also asked them for suggestions for the names of the seven new districts in West Bengal.

Banerjee's nephew and TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee reportedly made suggestions regarding what issues the MPs should raise in the remaining days of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament.

The CM will attend a NITI Aayog meeting on Sunday, which will be chaired by Modi, and is also expected to meet non-Congress Opposition leaders such as those of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Telangana Rashtra Samithi and Aam Aadmi Party later this week.