Kolkata: The West Bengal government on Thursday reacted on the Union budget in a low key with the state`s Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Subrata Mukherjee saying that it totally ignored the interest of people in rural Bengal.
"The Union budget failed to ensure any programme that can encourage and boost the rural economy in the country as a whole," Mukherjee said.
Neither Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, nor her Finance Minister Amit Mitra were available for reactions on the Union Budget.
Elaborting some features highlighted in the budget proposal, Mukherjee explained how it reduced the allocation under Geetanjali and Neeja Bhumi Neeja Griha projects despite demands for enhanced fund by the state governments.
The Union budget also ruled out the demand for enhancing minimum wages under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme which ensures 100-day`s work to poor in the villages, the minister said.
"While there was no new project or any incentive for rural Bengal, the Union budget also failed to emphasise programme to identify arsenic and fluoride contaminated areas and fight them with an enhanced allocation," Mukherjee said criticising the Centre.
PTI
