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Regarding need to release funds pending under various
welfare schemes to West Bengal-Laid
SHRI KIRTI AZAD (BARDHAMAN-DURGAPUR) : I wish to draw
the attention of the Government to the continued non-release of
funds to the state of West Bengal under several centrally
sponsored schemes, thereby depriving the people of West Bengal
of their rightful entitlements. The Union Government owes nearly
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2 lakh crore to West Bengal across various centrally sponsored
schemes, representing unpaid central-share obligations. In
particular, under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the Union Government has not
released funds since March 2022, resulting in pending dues of
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approximately 52,000 crore, including unpaid wages and material
costs. The discontinuation of fund release under the scheme and
the subsequent transition cited by the Union Government to an
alternative framework have severely affected the livelihood security
of 59 lakh rural workers in West Bengal. Similarly, under the
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) and other key schemes
relating to education, health, nutrition, drinking water, and women
and child development, substantial central dues remain unpaid,
leaving eligible beneficiaries without timely support. The prolonged
withholding of legitimate central dues undermines the principles of
cooperative federalism and inflicts hardship on crores of people in
West Bengal. I urge the Union Government to release all pending
funds without further delay.