Archive · 9 Dec 2025
CM and MP clash over PHE funds
The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, said that the central government did not give enough money for projects to provide clean drinking water.
But Raju Bista, a Member of Parliament from Darjeeling, disagreed.
He said the central government did give money for these projects, like Rs 196.97 crore for Kalimpong.
He also said that the municipalities in Kalimpong, Kurseong, and Mirik have not had elections for over three years and are being run by people appointed by the state, not elected by the people.
He thinks this is not fair and against the rules of the constitution.
He promised that when his party, the BJP, is in power, they will make sure elections happen on time.
CM Mamata Banerjee alleges inadequate central funds for PHE projects in West Bengal.
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista counters, detailing Rs 196.97 crore allocation for Kalimpong under AMRUT 2.0.
Funds include Rs 196.57 crore for water supply and Rs 40 lakh for green space development.
Bista criticizes unelected administration in Kalimpong, Kurseong, and Mirik municipalities for over three years.
He cites constitutional violations and promises timely elections if BJP comes to power in Bengal.
- Who
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista
- What
- Dispute over central government funds for Public Health Engineering (PHE) projects and governance in hill municipalities
- When
- Monday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Cooch Behar (CM's remarks), Darjeeling region (MP's concerns)
- Why
- Allegations of inadequate funds and concerns over unelected municipal administration
- Funds Allocated
- Rs 196.97 crore
- Water Supply Scheme
- Rs 196.57 crore
- Green Space Development
- Rs 40 lakh
- Municipalities Affected
- Kalimpong, Kurseong, Mirik
- Duration of Unelected Administration
- Over three years
- Constitutional Articles Cited
- 243U(1) and 243U(3)