Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Wednesday that the Centre has asked West Bengal to fulfil some compliances and that if the state does so, it would consider releasing central funds that have been stopped for the last two financial years.
The Centre had stopped the release of funds to West Bengal under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) scheme.
“Jo compliances maange hai kendra ne, vo raajy poora karega toh ham log jaroor denge. (If the state fulfils the compliances that the Centre has asked for, we will definitely give it),” Chouhan said, replying to a query during a press conference.
“If the specific purpose for which we are giving money is not fulfilled by anyone; the name of the scheme is changed; ineligible people are made eligible, eligible people are made ineligible; big work is given in small instalments to misuse it; if the criteria are not followed then should not we seek answers? Should we keep giving money even in such a situation?” Chouhan asked.
“So wherever there is any irregularity, the Centre has the right to inquire and investigate. Investigation was done, irregularities were found. Now if any irregularity is found, the Centre will have to take action,” he said.
Asked what action was taken where similar irregularities were found, Chouhan said, “We will take action wherever it is found. If it is found in any state, we will take action. We are committed to taking action.”
Chouhan pointed out that the Centre has released funds to West Bengal under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in which no irregularities have been found.
As per West Bengal government sources, total dues of about Rs 18,000 crore are pending under the MGNREGS, PMAY-G and PMGSY schemes.
On October 20, last year, then rural development minister Giriraj Singh had said that the Centre would release funds to West Bengal under MGNREGS and PMAY-G on the day it was “satisfied” about “transparency” in the state. Since then, several officer-level meetings have taken place but the state is yet to receive funds.
