PM accuses Mamata Banerjee government of destroying Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused the Mamata Banerjee government in Bengal of blocking a central benefit scheme for farmers because of its political agenda. he said this had led to the denial of funds to 70 lakh farmers in the state under the flagship PM-KISAN scheme.

Mamata Banerjee’s ideology had “destroyed” Bengal, PM Modi said, accusing the Chief Minister of “doing politics” by blocking the scheme to provide farmers ₹ 6,000 every year under

“The public is watching those doing selfish politics very closely. The parties that do not speak on the benefit of farmers in West Bengal are engaged in harassing the citizens of Delhi here in the name of the farmers and are ruining the economy of the country, he said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at an event in which he distributed ₹ 18,000 crores to over nine crore farmers against the backdrop of protests near Delhi over three new farm laws. He also interacted with farmers from nine states.

Mamata Banerjee, responding to his remarks, said the Modi Government had “done nothing” to help West Bengal.
“They are yet to release even a portion of the ₹ 85,000 crore of outstanding dues that includes unpaid GST (Goods and Services Tax) dues of ₹ 8,000 crore,” the Chief Minister said.

In his address, PM Modi wondered why there were agitations in Bengal against the farm bills yet no protests were visible against the state government’s decision to not implement the PM-KISAN scheme, in which ₹ 6,000 a year is provided to small and marginal farmers, payable in instalments of ₹ 2,000 each. The fund is transferred directly to bank accounts.

“The entire country is benefiting from the PM-KISAN programme but only one state, West Bengal, has not implemented this scheme. As a result, over 70 lakh farmers are not able to take benefit of this scheme and this money is not reaching them. This is because of politics,” the PM said.