West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. , Photo Credit: PTI
A war of words broke out between the TMC and the BJP over the visit of central teams to West Bengal on Thursday to probe complaints of irregularities in the allotment of houses under the PMAY.
The ruling TMC termed the visit of central teams to Malda and East Midnapore districts as “political vendetta” by the BJP-led government at the Centre.
Read also: Trinamool feels the heat as PMAY corruption allegations surface
The state’s political cauldron has been simmering for the past few days over allegations and counter-allegations of irregularities in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) housing scheme after applications from several people with multi-storey houses were found to be approved in some districts. ,
Reacting to the central teams’ visit, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the Center for turning a blind eye to corruption by BJP leaders and targeting TMC leaders.
Raising the issue of non-payment of funds to the state for the 100-day action plan, he said, “The Center is not releasing funds under MGNREGS. But it is sending central teams to assess the implementation of PMAY . We already did.” Examined and canceled 17 lakh applications of owners of two to three storey buildings.
Read also: Bengal sends report on Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Rural Reforms, awaiting Centre’s reply
“BJP leaders have taken money from PMAY despite having two/three storey buildings,” Ms Banerjee told reporters.
The Union Ministry of Rural Development had sent a message on January 3 to the state government informing them about the upcoming yatra. Deputy Secretary Shakti Kanti Singh and Director of Central Rural Development Department Shailesh Kumar are leading the teams in Malda and East Midnapore respectively.
Echoing Ms Banerjee, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh criticized the central government for playing vendetta politics.
“The Center is playing vendetta politics. It is not sending teams to Uttar Pradesh and other BJP-ruled states where there are similar complaints,” he said.
“The two central teams are visiting the districts of Malda and East Midnapore district for field inspection. They can go wherever they want,” state Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Pradeep Majumdar said. PTI,
Senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha denied the allegation of vendetta politics and termed it as “baseless”.
“The allegations are completely baseless as there is a scam in PMAY. That is why the Center has sent teams to the states. There should be accountability of central funds as it is public money. TMC is involved in this scam and that is the reason why this yatra So intimidated by,” he said.