Centre's attitude delaying projects in Bengal: Minister

A day after Sudhir Krishna, secretary in the union urban development ministry, expressed concern over the delay of various projects in West Bengal, a state minister Sunday said the centre's "vengeful attitude" was responsible for it.

State urban development minister Firhad Hakim accused the centre of stopping funds meant for various projects in the state as a revenge because the ruling Trinamool Congress has been opposing the "anti-people" policies of the union government.

"Before pointing at the delays, it is necessary to realise that these delays are only because the central government has stopped releasing funds. Just because we have been opposing the centre on various issues, it has taken a vengeful attitude and stopped funds," Hakim told the media here.

Krishna Saturday took stock of projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) in the city and urged the state government to speed up the projects.

During the day, state power minister Manish Gupta too attacked the central government over the issue of funds.

"Bengal has lot of potential in the power sector and we have been endeavouring to attract investments including from foreign shores. But the opportunities are not materialising because the centre is not willing to give us money to develop infrastructure," Gupta said.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also accused the central government of denying funds to the state.