Bengal, centre spar over funds
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Kolkata, Feb 9 (IANS) The West Bengal government Thursday refuted the Congress' claim that it was "understating" central assistance, and said it did not receive a penny more than what it constitutionally deserved.
"I again clarify that we have not received a single penny more from the central government over the amount which we have a constitutional right to get," state Finance Minister Amit Mitra said.
Mitra said the state has been given Rs.1,046 crore of the total allocation of Rs.8,760 crore from the central government under the Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF).
However, the money can be used only for development of the backward regions and not for any other purpose.
The central and West Bengal governments have been sparring over development funds.
Earlier, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the Mamata Banerjee-led dispensation has been given about Rs.8,000 crore aid in its first few months in office.
Disagreeing, Mitra said: "I hope he (Singhvi) will correct himself. He is perhaps ill-informed."
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