Mamata writes to Gadkari over fund crunch for NH works
Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Union minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari, raising the issue of "inadequate" allotment of fund by his ministry "for vital National Highway works".
As only a minimum percentage of the total project cost was allocated, the Chief Minister has stated in the letter that the allocation of the fund is "not only extremely inadequate, but is also devoid of any justification."
Highlighting the issue of "extremely inadequate" fund for the project, Banerjee also urged the Union minister to allot the remaining amount, so that Bengal doesn't get "deprived".
The state government had sent a draft plan to the Centre for construction of roads and bridges under National Highways in Bengal and the project is worth Rs 1,499.62 crore for the year 2018-19. But the Centre has allotted only Rs 153 crore to Bengal for the National Highway works.
Stating that the allotment "is one of the lowest among all the states of the country", Banerjee wrote: "Our government had sent a draft plan for road/bridge works under National Highways in West Bengal for Rs 1,499.62 crore, for the year 2018-19. You will appreciate that allocation of only Rs 153 crore against such a plan is not only extremely inadequate, but is also devoid of any justification."
She further maintained in the letter: "In view of the above, I would request you to kindly allot the balance amount for vital National Highway works for the year 2018-19, so as to ensure justice in the matter and also not to deprive West Bengal."
Banerjee has also stated in the letter that Rs 2,096.70 crore and Rs 1,605.85 crore was allotted by the Centre for Bengal in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 financial years under the same head.
It may be recalled that the Chief Minister had earlier repeatedly criticised the Centre for slashing its allocation for different projects.
There are 28 such projects, for which the Centre has reduced its share of fund. But the Mamata banerjee government has continued the projects, so that people do not get deprived of the benefits.
