West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee begins 2-day dharna in Kolkata

KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday began a two-day dharna in Kolkata, demanding the pending dues from the Centre under the MGNREGA and PM Awas Yojana.

The dharna was joined by MGNREGA beneficiaries, whose wages are due for around two years. Prospective beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojana will also join the dharna on Saturday.

The dharna will be continued by various arms of Trinamool Congress, including youth, women, etc after the first 48 hours, led by the Trinamool supremo. Banerjee announced that from February 5-14, the dharna will be continued by the youth wing, women wing in various districts of Bengal. "Around 21 lakh people have worked under MGNREGA but did not receive their wages. This is a constitutional obligation. It is a big offence," Banerjee said.


The Trinamool chief has also written a letter to PM Narendra Modi on the CAG report issue and non-submission of utilisation letter, which was raised by BJP state President Sukanta Majumdar.

Speaking about Lok Sabha polls, Banerjee said, "Time has come for the people of India must take a decision. Lakhs of farmers have committed suicide in the country but no one knows about it."