Delhi query for Bengal on names: Questions over change in central schemes' logos
A senior state government official said they had presented facts and figures that established that Bengal had initiated steps to rectify the problems whenever central teams had pointed them out
Senior Bengali administrative officials were questioned on Tuesday in Delhi on their state's demand for funding releases under many projects, specifically regarding non-compliance with criteria regarding scheme names and logos supported by the Union government.
"Bengali officials in attendance at the conference were questioned about the state's disregard for central standards regarding the names and logos of programs being carried out in Bengal. Financial irregularities purportedly occurring under the schemes also posed issues for the authorities, according to a person with knowledge of the meeting's discussions.
According to a top state government official, they had provided data and statistics proving that Bengal had taken the initiative to address issues whenever central teams brought them up.
“We made it clear that we had submitted action-taken reports whenever the Centre had pointed out any discrepancy…. The central teams have confirmed the action-taken reports, and no further queries were raised. A top state government official expressed optimism that they will get the necessary funding as soon as possible.
The discussion took place after the chief minister's delegation's December 19 visit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when they demanded the rapid disbursement of funding under several programs, including one that provided work for 100 days.
"A meeting between the officials of the federal and state governments was agreed upon during the discussions between the chief minister and the prime minister. More than a month after the chief minister and prime minister first met, the meeting took place today (Tuesday), according to a source.
The state government was represented at the meeting on Tuesday by the secretaries of the departments of finance, panchayat, health, education, public works, and food and supply. Attending the meeting on behalf of the Center were representatives from the ministry of rural development and the prime minister's office.
"The state is not at all at ease since the Center is raising concerns about regulations violations pertaining to the names and logos of the central schemes. Whether or not to utilize the names and logos of the state's main schemes is a political choice. However, we attempted to utilize the names and logos of the central designs after the Center had previously voiced concerns, a state government official said.
The National Food Security Act (NFSA) name and logo have not yet been used on ration stores, despite the state's attempts to use them on houses for rural impoverished people and rural roads programs like PMGSY and PMAY, according to sources.
