Kolkata, May 10 (PTI) Centre-state relations in West Bengal are likely to improve under the new BJP government, with several stalled central schemes expected to regain momentum under the ‘double-engine government’ framework, senior officials said on Sunday.
According to central government sources, the process of reviving stalled projects and releasing pending funds in sectors such as rural development, healthcare, drinking water and employment generation may gather pace in the coming months.
Among key schemes under discussion is the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, under which nearly Rs 2,700 crore in pending dues to the state were reviewed during a recent high-level meeting between officials of the Union Jal Shakti Ministry and senior state government representatives, an officer said.
Sources at the state secretariat said the meeting was attended by the secretary of the Union Jal Shakti Ministry and top officials of the state Public Works Department, where details related to project implementation, fund allocation and outstanding payments were discussed.
“A broad understanding has emerged between the Centre and the state. Formal modalities are being worked out, and we expect movement on several pending issues soon,” a senior state bureaucrat told PTI.
Apart from the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, preparations are also underway for the release of funds linked to multiple centrally sponsored schemes in rural development, Panchayati Raj, health and education sectors, officials said.
Central government sources maintained that political friction and administrative mistrust between the previous state dispensation and the Centre had slowed the implementation of several welfare projects over the years.
“With the change in government, the trust deficit has reduced substantially. That is expected to ease administrative coordination and speed up implementation,” another senior state official said.
Particular attention is being given to the ‘Ayushman Bharat’ health insurance scheme, which had remained non-operational in West Bengal for a prolonged period.
Sources said officials of the National Health Mission and the state health department have already held preliminary discussions on implementation guidelines, funding patterns and operational mechanisms.
“The discussions have been constructive so far. If things move according to plan, the rollout process could begin within the next few months,” a senior bureaucrat in the health department said.
The Centre is also considering resuming the flow of funds under the 100-day work scheme.
Officials in the Union Rural Development Ministry said administrative bottlenecks and disputes over data-sharing mechanisms had affected the scheme’s implementation in the state earlier.
“There was a perception within the previous administration that sharing granular data with the Centre could lead to Bengal being projected negatively. That political hesitation eventually affected development work,” a senior Panchayati Raj Ministry official said.
Fresh discussions have also begun over the PM-Kisan scheme, launched in 2019. While the previous state government had initially resisted sharing farmers’ data with the Centre, it later agreed to implement the scheme during the 2021-22 financial year.
The official said efforts are now being made to further streamline and expand the scheme’s reach in the state.
Discussions are also underway on implementing aspects of the National Education Policy and several pilot projects linked to the Panchayati Raj Ministry that had not been fully rolled out in West Bengal earlier.
Political observers believe increased central assistance and closer administrative coordination could significantly impact infrastructure, healthcare and rural development in the state.
However, sections of the Opposition have alleged that the Centre may attempt to derive political mileage from the renewed cooperation, setting the stage for fresh political debate in the state in the coming months. PTI SCH MNB
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.