Border Concerns and Unspent Funds: A Call for Action in West Bengal

A Trinamool Congress leader has raised issues about unfenced borders and the BSF's expanded jurisdiction in West Bengal. The letter also highlights underutilized funds meant for women's safety and disaster relief, urging action for crisis management and border fencing.

A letter from a Trinamool Congress leader to the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has flagged several pressing issues concerning West Bengal. The leader highlighted the vast unfenced stretches along international borders and the expanded jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) in the region as significant concerns.

In two separate correspondences addressed to Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, the leader expressed apprehensions about the implementation of Home Affairs Ministry schemes, notably those affecting women's safety and disaster relief. It was noted that 371.58 km of the India-Bangladesh border remains unfenced, and a mere 44 km of the India-Myanmar border's approved fencing is complete.

Additionally, the letters underscored the underutilisation of crucial funds, including the Nirbhaya Fund, intended to enhance women's safety and modernize forensic capacities. They also revealed pending government dues amounting to Rs 53,696 crore under various disaster management schemes. The letter stressed the necessity for timely fund disbursement to aid disaster preparedness and infrastructure rebuilding.