Kolkata: Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Monday said the centre plays no role in selection of Republic Day parade tableaux, days after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the Modi government of allegedly keeping out the state's proposal from the national event as the proposed theme, according to Ms Banerjee, was communal harmony.
"This year, our proposed theme was communal harmony; our officials went to two meetings, agreed to all suggestions but then we haven't got called to any more meetings," Ms Banerjee had said at Kolkata's Allen Park last week. "But politics has crept in even into this and when we proposed Kanyashree as a theme, we were not allowed."
The union minister sought to bring to her attention the process through which the parade's tableaux are selected, adding the BJP does not indulge in politics on such issue, news agency IANS reported. "There is a committee and it decides all. If the committee does not agree, what we can do? The centre has no role in it and we do not do politics with it," Mr Meghwal told reporters in Kolkata.
Mr Meghwal also denied allegations made by the Trinamool Congress chief that the centre has not been cooperating with West Bengal on matters of funds for development projects.
"According to the recommendations, the centre provides 60 per cent while the states contribute the rest in the shareable schemes. States provide utilisation certificate and accordingly, we provide funds," he said.
"If there is a proposal from the state for providing irrigation in the district, we will consider it. We are ready to provide funds and the centre does not believe in discriminatory acts," he said.
"This year, our proposed theme was communal harmony; our officials went to two meetings, agreed to all suggestions but then we haven't got called to any more meetings," Ms Banerjee had said at Kolkata's Allen Park last week. "But politics has crept in even into this and when we proposed Kanyashree as a theme, we were not allowed."
The union minister sought to bring to her attention the process through which the parade's tableaux are selected, adding the BJP does not indulge in politics on such issue, news agency IANS reported. "There is a committee and it decides all. If the committee does not agree, what we can do? The centre has no role in it and we do not do politics with it," Mr Meghwal told reporters in Kolkata.
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Mr Meghwal also denied allegations made by the Trinamool Congress chief that the centre has not been cooperating with West Bengal on matters of funds for development projects.
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"According to the recommendations, the centre provides 60 per cent while the states contribute the rest in the shareable schemes. States provide utilisation certificate and accordingly, we provide funds," he said.
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"If there is a proposal from the state for providing irrigation in the district, we will consider it. We are ready to provide funds and the centre does not believe in discriminatory acts," he said.
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