Kolkata, Jun 22 (PTI) Maintaining that the BJP government in West Bengal refers to the Centre several times in its first budget, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress’s spokesperson Kunal Ghosh on Tuesday claimed one would wonder whether it is a state or central budget.
He claimed that the Budget proposals speak of an increase in salaries and honorariums for some sections of employees, but these were introduced during the previous TMC government.
“The new government’s Budget refers to the Centre so many times that one would wonder whether it is a state budget or that of the Centre,” Ghosh told reporters after the presentation of the Budget proposals for 2026-27 in the West Bengal assembly.
“Dependence on the central government is evident as the state budget does not specify the source of funding for projects announced,” he said.
“The Mamata Banerjee government was deprived of central scheme funds and had to spend on various state projects from its own coffers,” he said.
Maintaining that the BJP government is screening candidates for benefits under schemes like Annapurna Bhandar and Ayushman Bharat, Ghosh claimed the TMC government gave benefits for the Lakshmir Bhandar and Sasthya Sathi schemes to all applicants.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has on several occasions said there were lakhs of false beneficiaries in Lakshmir Bhandar, with even men getting the benefit of the women-only welfare scheme.
Ghosh, however, said they want to give the new government some time to settle down and see how it progresses.
The TMC, founded by Banerjee, has witnessed an unprecedented split in its elected ranks since losing power in West Bengal after 15 years.
Only days ago, 58 of the party’s 80 MLAs backed Ritabrata Banerjee’s claim to the post of Leader of the Opposition, rejecting the choice favoured by the Mamata Banerjee-led leadership. The rebel camp has since claimed its strength in the assembly has risen to around 65 legislators. PTI AMR NN
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