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The agitation was joined tomorrow by MGNREGA beneficiaries, whose wages are due for around two years. Prospective beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojana will also join the dharna tomorrow.
The dharna will be continued by various arms of Trinamool Congress-youth, women etc after the first 48 hours, led by the Trinamool Supremo. Banerjee announced that from February 5-14, the dharna will be continued by the youth wing, Women wing and various districts.
“Around 21 lakh people have worked under MGNREGA but did not receive their wages. This is a Constitutional obligation. It is a big offence,” Banerjee said.
Speaking about Lok Sabha polls, Banerjee said, “Time has come for the people of India must take a decision. Lakhs of farmers have committed suicide in the country but no one knows about it.”
Talking about budget, Banerjee said, “This is vote-on account. This is not an interim budget but “antim” (last) budget. The budget has brought pain to poor people. They haven't spent a penny on poor people or spoken for them.”
“They (Centre) has reduced subsidies. At 10%, food inflation is at its highest. There is nothing for farmers. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, they spoke about 33% of reservations for women. We did 50% reservation for women at panchayat and municipality levels. We are the only political party which has ensured that 34% of our Lok Sabha MPs are women, without any formal reservation,” she added.
It is third time that Trinamool Supremo Mamata Banerjee is participating in dharna. First was in front of BR Ambedkar statue in March, second time it was inside West Bengal assembly premises in November and today it has started in front of BR Ambedkar statue again. Meanwhile, in October, Trinamool National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee conducted the dharna in New Delhi and then in front of Raj Bhawan in Kolkata.
“In hunger index, India’s position is very low. We are below 125 countries. Why is India’s per capita income so meagre…What have you done for the farmers? They are earning Rs 27 per day,” Trinamool Asansol MP Shatrughan Sinha said in the dharna.
Criticizing the MGNREGA dharna, opposition parties called it “drama” before Lok Sabha polls. CPI-M Rajya Sabha MP Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya said, “We need to count how many dharnas were organized by Mamata Banerjee. The central government has sought information. She did not provide adequate information. She is efficient in dharna politics.”
Calling it “dramabazi”, Leader of Opposition in state assembly Suvendu Adhikari said, “Mamata Banerjee is doing this drama ahead of Lok Sabha polls.”
Utilization certificate
The West Bengal Chief Minister has sent a letter to PM Modi on utilization certificates and CAG issue. The matter was raised by the BJP state President. “We have submitted all utilization certificates in time,” Banerjee said.
“You are well aware that only on being satisfied with these Utilisation Certificates, subsequent allocations are made by the Government of India from time to time under various schemes. The sanction orders issued by various Ministries of the Government of India clearly state that "there are no pending Utilisation Certificates of the preceding period. Hence, it is really shocking to note that the high office of a reputed Constitutional institution like the C&AG could make such observations…” Banerjee wrote in the letter.
“In the State Finance Audit Report for 2020-21 of the Comptroller & Auditor General of India (C&AG), it has been reported that there is a delay in the submission of Utilisation Certificates of Rs. 2,29,099 crore since 2002- 03 to 2020-21,” the letter mentioned.
Jal Jeevan Mission
The West Bengal government has received Rs 951 crore for Jal Jeevan Mission scheme today from the central government. The funds reached the state, just a few hours before Banerjee sat for dharna today.
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