Centre releases ₹1400 cr for Bengal’s rural roads amid ongoing TMC allegations of fund withholding

The central government has allocated ₹1400 crore to West Bengal under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to improve rural road infrastructure. This is the first time funds have been released for the scheme since 2022. The funds are intended to support the construction and upgrading of rural roads, which will connect remote villages with major urban areas, enhancing accessibility and promoting regional development.

Under the PMGSY, the central government typically funds 60% of the project cost, with the remaining 40% to be covered by the state government. The ₹1400 crore disbursed to Bengal follows this pattern. The funds will be utilized for various rural road projects across districts, and the state government is expected to begin implementing these projects soon. The state had not received any fresh funds under the scheme since 2022, which had contributed to tensions between the state and the central government over financial allocations.

The disbursal of these funds comes amid ongoing allegations from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), West Bengal’s ruling party, which has claimed that the central government has withheld crucial financial support for various state schemes. TMC leaders have raised concerns over the delay in funding for the 100-day work scheme, housing projects, and other welfare initiatives. The 100-day work scheme, aimed at providing employment to rural households, has not received the expected allocations, leading to criticism of the center for non-payment.

In response to these accusations, Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and a senior BJP leader, addressed the claims made by the TMC. He pointed out that between 2018 and 2023, the central government had transferred ₹6.48 lakh crore to the state for various welfare programs. These funds, according to Adhikari, were allocated for sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure development, refuting claims that the state had been deprived of its due share.

The ₹1400 crore allocated for rural roads is part of the PMGSY’s ongoing efforts to improve rural connectivity across the country. The PMGSY is a nationwide initiative launched in 2000 to build all-weather roads in rural areas and to connect unconnected villages. This funding will help accelerate road construction in West Bengal, improving transportation networks in underserved regions. Despite this, the broader issue of delayed or withheld funds for other state schemes remains unresolved.