CM Banerjee to meet PM Modi at Raj Bhavan today

• CM Banerjee is expected to meet PM Modi today evening
• Meeting likely to take place at Raj Bhavan in Calcutta, part of PM's official itinerary
• The timing of the meeting is yet to be confirmed

WB CM Mamata Banerjee is expected to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Raj Bhavan on Friday evening, as confirmed by an official source. This meeting comes as part of PM Modi's two-day tour in the state, during which he is slated to address public rallies in Hooghly and Nadia districts, along with inaugurating several government projects.

PM Modi's visit includes an overnight stay at Raj Bhawan in Calcutta on Friday. The timing of the meeting between the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister is yet to be confirmed, according to a Raj Bhavan official, who revealed that the meeting aligns with established protocol.

This interaction between Mamata Banerjee and Narendra Modi follows a previous meeting in December last year, when the Chief Minister visited New Delhi to advocate for the release of West Bengal's pending dues from the Centre. The state government has been vocal about the Centre owing approximately Rs 1.18 lakh crore to West Bengal, a significant amount crucial for various developmental projects and welfare schemes.

Notably, the recent commencement of payment of dues to around 30 lakh Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) workers in the state, totaling Rs 2,700 crore, marks a significant step. These payments, pending since March 2022, come amidst the state's persistent efforts to secure its rightful funds from the Centre.