Budget Session in Bengal Assembly Set for Stormy Confrontations Over Funding Freeze and Alleged Scams

Stormy confrontations are expected during the budget session of the Bengal Assembly, which starts on Monday. Trinamul is accusing the Centre of withholding Bengal's rightful funding, while the BJP is going to use a report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to claim a “mother of all scams” worth Rs 2 lakh crore.

On Sunday, the scenario was set when MP Derek O'Brien brought up the matter of the central funding freeze and Trinamul leader Kunal Ghosh refuted the CAG's allegation that Bengal had neglected to provide usage certificates for money totaling Rs 2.29 lakh billion.

The general secretary of Trinamul state, Ghosh, said, "There is malicious and false propaganda that the Bengal government has not submitted utilisation certificates."

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received a letter from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the issue. The (CAG) report covers the cycle from 2002–03 to 2020–21. However, in Bengal, the Left ruled till 2010–2011. For that time, the Trinamul Congress is not able to accept accountability.

Mamata had indicated on Friday that central deprivation will be the cornerstone of Trinamul's general election campaign by holding Modi and the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) accountable for the Center's decision to halt the flow of cash to Bengal.

Additionally, she has said that the CAG has unfairly accused her administration of holding up usage permits.

"Within the allotted timeframe, our government has sent all central fund utilisation certificates to the appropriate ministries, according to the prescribed procedures. The second batch of monies was released since we provided the certificates, according to Ghosh.

"Most importantly, during the meeting with state government officials, the central officers did not bring up the issue of utilisation certificates."

Mamata had referred to the CAG, according to Trinamul sources, since Modi had reportedly requested Sudip Bandyopadhyay, the leader of her party in the Lok Sabha, to review the report when he addressed the Prime Minister to beg that Bengal's dues be paid.

It is regrettable that opposition leaders are purposefully misrepresenting parts of the CAG report in order to spread false information. We vehemently denounce this," Ghosh said.

"As we followed all procedures when we came to power, the Trinamul Congress will not accept responsibility for the Left's lack of accountability during their regime."

According to Trinamul insiders, holding Prime Minister Modi responsible for the funding embargo is a political ploy meant to put pressure on him to clarify the situation via a statewide campaign.

The head of Trinamul in the Rajya Sabha, O'Brien, repeatedly brought up the same point, citing Mamata's declaration on Saturday that her administration will settle the salary obligations of about 21 lakh employees under the 100-day employment plan. Since January 2023, these employees have not received their salaries due to the Center's financial halt.

"One of the most significant days for federalism in Indian history was this past Saturday." Bengal's chief minister's declaration would counter the BJP's federal budgetary terrorism, which entails denying Bengal its just compensation, according to O'Brien.

The chief minister is expected to attend the budget session after returning from Delhi on Thursday. However, the state BJP intends to "unleash hell" on the government benches.

The Bengal BJP has a history of creating agitation outside the House and being disruptive and non-participative within throughout sessions since 2021.

In addition to requesting a response from Mamata on a number of problems, including the CAG report and the purported breakdown of law and order, state BJP sources indicated that the party's MLAs will insist on the report being presented in the Assembly and addressed.

The leader of the opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, who did not attend the business advisory committee meeting or the all-party meeting called by Speaker Biman Banerjee on Friday, stated that the BJP would interact with the government during the budget session in order to highlight matters that are "relevant to the welfare" of the average citizen.

"On Tuesday at 10 a.m., our lawmakers will convene to choose our floor plan. Adhikari said, "We would insist that the state administration provide the CAG report and have a meeting to examine it.

"The following two days have been set aside for debate, and the budget will be presented on Thursday. Our lawmakers will participate in the conversations and bring up matters that affect the general public.

The BJP will accuse the state administration of attempting to "impede" central programs intended for the "welfare" of the people in order to refute the Trinamul government's allegations of central deprivation.

Adhikari said, "We will respond to the chief minister in the same way that she responds to our demands."

In order to attend talks with his national leadership on Monday, Adhikari departed for Delhi on Sunday.

He could help refute Mamata's remarks on her visit to Delhi, which begins on Monday, and he's expected to attend a strategy meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Under Adhikari's leadership, Trinamul has consistently charged that the BJP engages in aggressive behavior and showmanship in the House without really contributing to the legislative processes.