TMC Walks Out of Lok Sabha Over MGNREGS Fund Dispute

The Trinamool Congress staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha, protesting the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's failure to address state-wise fund allocation for the MGNREGS. TMC leaders demanded a white paper on pending funds for West Bengal, denouncing the alleged economic blockade by the central government.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha on Tuesday in protest against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's reply regarding the MGNREGS funds dispute. The party demanded a white paper on the funds, which have been withheld for West Bengal since March 2022.

TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay criticized the minister for not addressing state-wise allocation of funds. 'We are deeply concerned over the pending dues for MGNREGS and Awas Yojana. Finance Minister Sitharaman focused only on overall disbursal and did not mention the allocation for specific states,' Bandyopadhyay stated.

National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee accused Sitharaman of avoiding the facts due to a lack of documentation. 'The day I gave my speech in the House, I stated that I could present my facts, but the Minister should also provide a white paper. Papers don't lie,' he added. Banerjee further criticized the Union government's handling of funds and highlighted a recent NITI Aayog meeting where West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee was allegedly not allowed to speak.