Centre admits massive cut in Bengal's electricity fund in response to Abhishek Banerjee's question

The Central government has finally accepted in Parliament that funds for improving electricity supply in West Bengal have been sharply reduced this year. In a written reply, Union Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik told Lok Sabha that under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), the state received Rs 601 crores in 2024–25, but only Rs 49 crores has been released till 28 November in 2025–26. The revelation came after Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee repeatedly raised the issue, asking why Bengal was being starved of money meant for new transformers, meters and stronger power lines.

The massive drop of almost 92 % has angered leaders and common people alike because thousands of villages and towns in Bengal still face long power cuts and old, risky wiring. Local MLAs say pending projects worth hundreds of crores are now stuck, forcing families to live with flickering lights and damaged appliances.

Many feel the cut is unfair because Bengal pays its full share of taxes yet gets much less than several other states under the same scheme. The power ministry claims the money is released only after states complete earlier work and submit proper reports, but TMC leaders argue Bengal has met all conditions and the Centre is deliberately delaying funds.