West Bengal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sharpened his attack on previous governments in West Bengal, stating that those who 'looted public money' are now being forced to return it and are being sent to jail.

Addressing a program to mark Paschimbanga Divas, he said, "Those who looted public money in Bengal are returning it now, and they are being sent to jail."

Taking an indirect swipe at the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Prime Minister accused previous governments in the state of crippling development and forcing people to leave Bengal in search of opportunities elsewhere.

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"We have been witnesses to how previous governments functioned. They pushed Bengal backwards and turned it into a land of exodus," news agency PTI quoted PM Modi as saying.

He further stated that development has surged under the current regime and that West Bengal was witnessing a fresh sense of optimism.

"There is new freshness in the air of Bengal as if the state is now free from shackles," he said, expressing hope that the historic Paschimbanga Divas celebrations would further fuel the development of West Bengal.

PM Modi alleged that the previous state government had stalled the land transfers required for border fencing, adding that the issue has been resolved under the present administration.

PM Modi Takes Part In Paschimbanga Divas Celebrations, Disburses Rs 18,880 Crore To Over 9 Crore Farmers

During the programme, which was attended by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, legislators, and top government officials, PM Modi took part in the Paschimbanga Divas celebrations and released the 23rd instalment of the PM-Kisan scheme.

Additionally, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a range of development projects across railways, agriculture, rural development, fisheries, and animal husbandry.

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Key Announcements

- One of the key announcements was the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in West Bengal. The crop insurance scheme aims to cover nearly 50 lakh farmers and roughly 14 lakh hectares of agricultural land across the state during 2026-27, with crops worth an estimated Rs 28,140 crore covered under the scheme.

- PM Modi also dedicated and laid the foundation stones for railway projects worth approximately Rs 590 crore.

- He inaugurated 49 road infrastructure projects under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-III), spanning over 315 kilometres across various districts of West Bengal.

(With Inputs From Agencies)