TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee Clashes with Union Minister Over MGNREGA Funds in Lok Sabha

New Delhi: A fiery exchange erupted in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday as Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee confronted Union Minister Giriraj Singh over the disbursement of MGNREGA funds to West Bengal. The verbal clash reached a boiling point when Banerjee, angered by Singh’s remarks, snapped, “Who has made you a minister?”, sparking uproar in the House.

Tension Over Withheld MGNREGA Funds

During the session, Banerjee fiercely accused the Union government of depriving Bengal of its rightful allocation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) funds. He highlighted that the state had been raising this issue for three years, but the Centre continued to withhold funds based on alleged financial irregularities amounting to ₹25 lakh.

“The Centre claims there is a fraud of ₹25 lakh, and we have consistently urged them to take action. But that cannot be a reason to deny benefits to 10 crore people of the state,” Banerjee asserted.

Lok Sabha Speaker Intervenes Amidst Uproar

The confrontation escalated when Banerjee directly lashed out at Giriraj Singh, questioning his authority as a minister. The comment provoked strong objections from Treasury Benches, leading to a heated disruption.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal was quick to defend Singh, stating, “During Question Hour, members are supposed to ask questions, not make personal comments. Who is he to question someone’s ministerial appointment?”

In response to the escalating verbal spat, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla intervened, urging all members to maintain decorum and professionalism.

“Personal comments should be avoided. Choose your words carefully while speaking. No one should respond to unofficial remarks,” Birla stated, attempting to restore order. However, his appeal was met with visible discontent from the Opposition benches.

Centre Justifies MGNREGA Fund Blockage

Addressing Banerjee’s demand for fund allocation, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan reiterated the allegations of irregularities in Bengal’s MGNREGA implementation.

“The issue of fund obstruction is repeatedly raised in this House by the same MP. The Centre’s investigative team found evidence that central schemes were being renamed, tenders were divided into smaller parts, and our officials were mistreated. Strong action will be taken against corruption,” Paswan declared.

Ongoing Tussle Between Centre and Bengal Over MGNREGA

The MGNREGA funds issue has become a major point of contention between the Centre and the West Bengal government. While the state government has repeatedly accused the Centre of financial discrimination, the Union government insists that procedural violations and corruption in the scheme’s execution have led to fund suspension.

The TMC has vowed to escalate the issue further, while the BJP maintains that funds will not be released until strict compliance measures are met. The ongoing standoff ensures that MGNREGA funds will remain a hot political battleground in the lead-up to upcoming elections.