Mamata vs Modi: West Bengal CM renames Central govt schemes in state to ‘take credit’

Even the Swaccha Bhart Abhiyaan has not been spared, it has been rechristened as Mission Nirmal Bangla

By: Rakesh Jha |
April 25, 2017 2:12 pm

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee never misses a chance to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his policies.From her criticism of demonetisation scheme to her fear of coup in West Bengal, Banerjee has proved to be a fiery opposition for BJP ruled central government.

However, the Trinamool leader seems to have taken the battle with centre to another level. In a recently released circular issued to concerned authorities, the West Bengal government has ordered to change the names of all central government schemes in the state. The letter dated April 12 issued to all secretaries and district magistrates says “Attention is drawn to the specific names given by the state government to different rural development schemes with shared resources of the Centre and the state government.”

It further reads, “Programmes nationally known as Aajeevika (National Rural Livelihood Mission), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Grameen) should now onwards be known as Anandadhara (State Rural Livelihood Mission), Banglar Gramin Sadak Yojana and Banglar Griha Prakalpa, respectively”.

Even the Swaccha Bhart Abhiyaan has not been spared, it has been rechristened as Mission Nirmal Bangla.

Speaking to an English News Channel, a senior official from Chief Minister’s office said that the instructions to change the name of cnetral schemes came from Mamata Banerjee.

“She felt that when the state government was bearing 40% of the cost for implementing the central government schemes, then why should only Centre get the credit? Earlier, the state governments used to bear only 10% of the cost for central schemes, but now with the increase in the state’s responsibility, the Bengal government has decided to change the names.” the official added.