Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a scathing attack on the Mamata government of West Bengal in the WITT Summit, the grand platform of TV9 network. He alleged that the state government has not implemented Ayushman Yojana, PM Free Electricity Scheme, PMMany central programs like housing scheme were not implemented. These were to directly benefit the common people.
In fact, the central and state governments together run many welfare schemes in the country. The objective of these schemes is to provide direct benefits to the public. But many times, due to political differences, disputes have arisen in the implementation of some schemes. In the last few years, it has been discussed that the West Bengal government did not implement some schemes of the Center directly or ran them in the name of the state.
Different claims have been coming forward on these in political circles. Officials of the main opposition party in the state, Bharatiya Janata Party and the ruling TMC in West Bengal are often seen and heard making statements on these issues. The PM cornered the state government by naming some of those schemes.
Now know, how many schemes of Modi government has been stopped by the state government of West Bengal? What were their advantages and disadvantages? Under which rule can any state government stop the implementation of central schemes?
By which rules can the state government stop the central scheme?
In India, the state government cannot directly stop the scheme of the central government, but it can decide not to implement or postpone it in certain circumstances. This subject has been divided into three lists in Article 246 and the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Union, State and Concurrent List. If any scheme of the Center is related to the subject of the State List, the State Government can object to its implementation or decide not to implement it.
PM Modi addressing WITT Summit.
Most centrally sponsored schemes are voluntary. The state may choose to accept the plan, demand amendments or not implement it. Because the state also has financial participation in these schemes, it is not possible to implement them without consent. Under Article 162, the state government has executive power on state subjects. Meaning the right to take decisions on the basis of administrative discretion. On this basis, the state cannot stop a scheme if it is completely within the jurisdiction of the Centre, but it can decide not to implement it within its administrative jurisdiction. If the scheme is based on a law passed by the Parliament and that law is binding, the state will have to implement it.
Which schemes were disputed?
The most discussed were Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Free Electricity Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana etc. Some of these schemes were implemented by the state government with its own model. In some schemes, differences also emerged between the Center and the state regarding the list of beneficiaries, fund distribution and use of names.
1- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
The objective of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is to provide permanent houses to the poor. There was a controversy in West Bengal regarding the name of this scheme and the list of beneficiaries. The Center alleged that eligible people did not get the benefits. The state government said that it ran the scheme under the name Bangla Awas Yojana and made changes according to local needs.
- Profit: The state government got flexibility in the scheme at the local level. The state could decide the priority as per its own.
- Loss: Tension increased between the Center and the state regarding funds. Some beneficiaries faced delays.
Under the world’s biggest healthcare scheme #AyushmanBharat1.5 crore poor people have received free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh. As a result, the poor have been able to save over Rs 30,000 crore.
More than 24K hospitals are empaneled across the country to provide treatment. pic.twitter.com/191ui3GY1q
— BJP (@BJP4India) January 31, 2021
2- Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Ayushman Bharat Yojana provides health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh to poor families. The West Bengal government did not implement this scheme directly. Instead he ran his own scheme called Swasthya Sathi.
- Profit: The state government got complete control over the scheme. Coverage was decided as per the need of the state. In some cases more people were involved.
- Loss: The benefits of national level portability were limited. Confusion arose regarding treatment facilities in other states. Political allegations and counter-allegations increased between the Center and the state.
Today this scheme of Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi has become an important medium of social security for small farmers of the country.
– Shri Narendra Modi
Honorable Prime Minister #PMKisan#PMKisan22ndInstallment#PMKisanSammanNidhi@PMOIndia @ChouhanShivraj @RNK_Thakur@mpbhagirathbjp pic.twitter.com/EtogCM0NSe— Agriculture INDIA (@AgriGoI) March 13, 2026
3- Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi
Under this scheme, farmers get financial assistance. Initially, the West Bengal government delayed sharing the list of beneficiaries. Later this scheme was implemented in the state.
- Profit: The state government tried to prevent wrong entries by checking the data.
- Loss: There was a delay in getting payment to the farmers. The political atmosphere heated up.
4- Crop Insurance Scheme
The objective of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is to provide protection to farmers from natural disasters. West Bengal separated itself from this scheme after some time and started a state level insurance scheme.
- Profit: The state decided the premium and conditions as per its own. Farmers found it easier to lodge complaints at the local level.
- Loss: Subsidy received from the center was limited. Questions arose over payment of insurance claims.
UNIVERSAL SAFE DRINKING WATER ACCESS TO ALL BY 2030
➩ Significant progress has been made in the country since the launch of Jal Jeevan Mission, towards enhancing access to tap water to rural households. At the start of the Mission, only 3.23 Crore (16.7%) rural households were pic.twitter.com/QtcXuiVkzi
— PIB India (@PIB_India) March 9, 2026
5- Jal Jeevan Mission and other schemes
The goal of Jal Jeevan Mission is to provide tap water to every household. In this scheme also, differences emerged between the Center and the State regarding the use and reporting of funds. In Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana also, different reports came out regarding the speed and quality of works.
Plans that were not fully implemented
The central government alleges that the state did not implement PM Shree School, PM Tea Workers Welfare Scheme, PM Matsya Sampada Scheme, PM Surya Ghar Scheme. Due to lack of cooperation from the state government, many railway projects have got stuck. When the controversy regarding MNREGA also came up, the Center stopped the funds. Then the state government started the Karmashree scheme.
Political reasons also came to the fore
Political reasons are also seen behind these controversies. There is a Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal. There is a Bharatiya Janata Party government at the centre. There are ideological differences between the two parties. The state government has argued that it is protecting the federal structure. She wants the role and identity of the state to be clear in the schemes. The central government has been saying that the name and structure of national schemes should remain the same. This maintains transparency and uniformity.
has a direct impact on the public
These controversies have a direct impact on the public. When there is good coordination between the Center and the state, the schemes are implemented faster. When there is conflict the process can be slow. In some cases the state’s own scheme works better, but sometimes there are delays due to lack of funds or administrative hurdles. Many times, both the Center and the State jointly provide funds for the schemes. If a scheme remains stalled, the state has to arrange for alternative funds. This may increase pressure on the state budget. On the other hand, if the state runs its own scheme, it gets more freedom in branding and implementation.
debate on federal structure
India is a federal country. Here there is division of powers between the Center and the states. The controversy over the schemes also highlights the limitations of the federal structure. Some experts believe that states should get more freedom, while others say that uniformity in national plans is necessary.
In this way, it can be understood that there have been differences between West Bengal and the Central Government regarding some schemes. Different schemes were in controversy at different times. There is disagreement on the exact number. But it is clear that the issue is not only about schemes but also about federal balance. There are some benefits of these controversies also. The state gets flexibility in policy, but there are disadvantages too. People sometimes have to face delays. After all, the aim of the schemes is the well-being of the people. If Center and State work together then results can be better. Dialogue and cooperation is the only permanent solution. But, it is a coincidence that Mamata Banerjee has been in power in the state for the last 15 years and there is a BJP led government at the center for about 12 years.
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