West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday accused New Delhi of denying the state ‘legitimate’ funds for several government welfare programs, upping the ante before Panchayat polls that political pundits believe will be a dress rehearsal for the general elections scheduled next year.

She slammed the Centre on Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections, alleging ‘deprivation’ of the state from allocation of central funds.

“In the name of GST, the Centre is taking all the money. It was our fault to support it. We thought various states would benefit from it,” Banerjee said. “But now the Centre is not paying money for 100-day projects and other Central schemes.”

She said that MGNREGA funds worth ₹7,000 crore were yet to be paid besides funds allocated for other central welfare plans, such as rural-road building, PM Awas Yojana and scholarships for needy students.

“I will arrange alternative work for the 100-day job-card holders for several projects in the state, including rural road construction, and PWD projects,” Banerjee said. “The Centre is not paying money for 100-day MGNREGA work from last year. We have decided to construct 12,000 km-long rural roads, and 100-day job card holders will be deployed and receive an alternative employment.”

She has already announced that she will sit for a two-day dharna near Dr Ambedkar Statue in the city, starting from tomorrow, against deprivation of the state and non-disbursal of funds by the Centre. Similar protests will be organized by the Trinamool workers all across the state.

In all gram panchayats, altogether 9,000-plus roads will be constructed, totalling more than 12,000 km in length, Banerjee said. “In 22 districts, work will be undertaken in 30,000 villages and expenditure will be approximate nearing Rs 4,000 crore,” the chief minister said.”Launched today, the Pathashree-Rastashree project will ensure better connectivity through 12,000 km of roads in 22 districts. With this, we take another step forward in the direction of development,” she said.