Sangrami Joutha Mancha Demands White Paper on 1.96 Lakh Crore Central Dues to West Bengal

Sangrami Joutha Mancha: In a significant move concerning the fiscal health of West Bengal and the rights of its employees, the Sangrami Joutha Mancha (SJM) has formally approached the State Government demanding transparency regarding the alleged central dues. The joint forum has sent a detailed letter to the Chief Secretary, urging the administration to release a ‘White Paper’ on the estimated ₹1,96,000 crore claimed to be owed by the Union Government.

The discourse surrounding this massive outstanding amount has been circulating in administrative and political circles for a long time. The SJM aims to bring clarity to this issue, emphasizing that such financial ambiguity directly impacts the state’s development and its employees.

Call for Financial Transparency

The letter, signed by convenors Aniruddha Bhattacharya and Bhaskar Ghosh, highlights that while reports of the due amount are frequent in the media and government statements, a detailed department-wise breakdown is missing. To ensure accountability, the forum has demanded the immediate publication of a White Paper.

Key inclusions demanded in the White Paper:

• Detailed status of GST compensation arrears.
• Pending funds for disaster management (floods, cyclones).
• State’s share in various centrally sponsored schemes.
• Dues related to social welfare projects and other sanctioned funds.

Impact on Salaries and DA Arrears

The forum points out that if this substantial amount is indeed pending, it severely affects the state’s financial structure. The letter draws a direct correlation between these dues and the ongoing struggles of government employees. The delay in receiving these funds is allegedly hampering the payment of salaries, pensions, and specifically, the 40% Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears under the current ROPA rules.

The SJM argues that receiving these funds could accelerate development projects in agriculture, health, and education, while also resolving the financial grievances of teachers and non-teaching staff.

Proposal for United Action and Legal Recourse

Viewing this not just as a financial issue but as a matter of the state’s constitutional rights, the Sangrami Joutha Mancha has proposed a united front. Their demands include:

• All-Party Meeting: Convening a meeting with all political parties to present a unified voice for the state’s financial rights.
• Formal Ultimatum: Sending a strongly worded formal claim letter to the Government of India.
• Legal Action: If the dues remain unpaid for a prolonged period, the state should consider constitutional and legal measures to recover the amount.

The organization has appealed for immediate administrative action to protect the interests of the citizens and employees of West Bengal. All eyes are now on Nabanna to see how the administration responds to this call for transparency.