Centre stopped funds on purpose: TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee

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ET BureauLast Updated: Oct 01, 2023, 11:45 PM IST

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Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of Trinamool, accused the central government of deliberately withholding funds for the MGNREGA scheme, which provides rural employment. He criticized Union Minister Giriraj Singh for showing a "step-motherly attitude" towards the people of Bengal. Trinamool MPs, ministers, and leaders left for Delhi to hold a two-day protest demanding the release of wages for workers under the MGNREGA scheme and funds for other central schemes.

Let Centre stop our movement in Delhi, if it can: Abhishek Banerjee — Trinamool Congress Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said on Sunday that the government at the Centre has purposely stopped funds for the MGNREGA scheme and were trying to deprive the people of Bengal. Banerjee slammed Union minister Giriraj Singh's "step-motherly attitude" towards people of the state even as Trinamool MLAs, state ministers and MPs, led by Banerjee, left for New Delhi to hold a two-day protest programme at Rajghat and Jantar Mantar on October 2 and 3.

Around 4,000 job card-holders under MGNREGA have already left for Delhi in 50-odd buses to participate in a protest rally. Trinamool MPs, including Saugata Roy, ministers Chandrima Bhattacharya, Sujit Bose, Sashi Panja and various district level leaders, left for Delhi on Sunday. The rally is being organised to demand release of wages due to workers under the 100-day rural job scheme and funds for other central schemes.

"The fight will continue till the deprived people get their dues. The movement will not be limited to October 2 and 3. The central government, which is in power for more than nine and a half years, have stopped funds for MNREGA, PM Awas Yojana, rural road and all other central schemes," Banerjee said before leaving for Delhi.

"People are the last word in democracy. They will give a befitting reply...Funds in MGNREGA are mandatory and they (Centre) must give us funds. Trinamool Congress is not scared...we will fight till end," Banerjee said.

Sunday, 01 Oct, 2023

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