PM Modi’s concern softens the start of talks with Mamata Banerjee

main point:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a 20-minute meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday.
• The agenda of the meeting was to discuss the release of funds worth Rs 1.16 lakh crore blocked by the Centre.
• During the meeting, Modi expressed concern over Banerjee’s knee injury.
• Banerjee said that she is feeling better from her injury.
• Modi said a joint committee of central and state officials will be formed to consider the release of funds.
• Banerjee said he would give all the clarifications sought by the committee.
• He also alleged that the Central Government has unilaterally mandated the use of the name, logo and color of the scheme and buildings as a condition for releasing funds for centrally sponsored schemes.
  

What may have been initial discomfort at the start of the 20-minute meeting in the conference room near the Prime Minister’s Office in the new Parliament House in New Delhi on Wednesday is likely to go away soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi questioned him. Condition of Mamata Banerjee’s knee injury.

The possible initial uneasiness may arise from the fact that a significant section of MPs in Banerjee’s 10-member delegation sitting at the table with the Prime Minister is suspended from the remaining days of the winter session of Parliament and also from the fact that the Center has been barred from . The fund, whose demand for release was the declared agenda of the talks, has financially cornered the Mamata Banerjee government, which has not only caused resentment.

But the tone and nature of the talks, which ended well before their anticipated duration, were probably set with the Prime Minister’s expression of concern for Banerjee’s knee injury. Of course, the Bengal Chief Minister assured Modi that she is in a better situation now than she was a few months ago.

During the meeting, Modi asked about Banerjee’s knee injury and wished her a speedy recovery. Banerjee said that he is feeling better from his injury and is now able to walk.

After this, both the leaders discussed the release of funds worth Rs 1.16 lakh crore. Banerjee said this amount is the state’s current dues from the Centre. He alleged that the central government has harassed the state by withholding funds for important schemes like MNREGA, housing scheme and health mission.

Modi said a joint committee of central and state officials will be formed to consider the release of funds. He said Banerjee’s government will have to give all the clarifications sought by the committee.

Banerjee said they would give all clarifications. He also alleged that the Central Government has unilaterally mandated the use of the name, logo and color of the scheme and buildings as a condition for releasing funds for centrally sponsored schemes. He said that this is a violation of the federal structure.

Modi said he would discuss the issue with Banerjee.

After the meeting, Banerjee said Modi had listened to her points carefully and assured her that he would look into them. She said she hoped the issue would be resolved soon.