Slamming the state government for delay in implementation of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) projects, Union minister of state for urban development Saugata Roy on Wednesday said that West Bengal had failed to submit proposals for Rs 1,200 crore additional central assistance.
“West Bengal is very slow in the implementation of JNNURM projects. Total additional central assistance allocated for the state was 3200 crore. So far the state government has submitted proposals for roughly Rs 2000 crore, short by Rs 1200 crore in submitting proposals,” Trinamool Congress leader said here.
“Centre is to bear 35 per cent of the project cost, the rest has to be managed by the state government and the state is failing to do this. This is why even sanctioned schemes are getting delayed,” he explained. The Minister also said that West Bengal lagged way behind in fund utilization compared to other states.
“If we compare state government's performance with other states West Bengal lies in the middle or lower middle. Andhra has done very well as well as Gujarat and Maharashtra,” he said. He also denied the charges of slow release process of funds for JNNURM projects made by the state government.
“It is very easy to get money for JNNURM projects. As soon as the schemes are approved, the fund is released,” the Minister said.
