MoS Panchayati Raj leaves meeting halfway in West Bengal, alleges non-cooperation by state govt

Speaking to the media, Patil noted that he had been supported during his visits by state governments in other non-BJP-ruled states, adding that the meeting could not go on without the DM and SDMs being present at the spot.

Bolpur: Union Minister of State, Panchayati Raj Kapil Moreshwar Patil walked out in the middle of a Panchayat-level review meeting of the District Magistrate-Divisional Magistrate here on Saturday. The minister, who visited Bolpur in West Bengal's Birbhum district to hold a review meeting on the efficacy of central schemes including Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Ayushman Bharat, Krishi Samman Nidhi and others, left the meeting in a huff, alleging non-cooperation on part of the state government.

Patil asserted that the District Magistrate as well as Sub Divisional Magistrates, who were supposed to be present for the meet, were absent and some other officials from the concerned departments were instead sent to the meeting.

Comparing the situation to other non-BJP-ruled states, he further noted that in those states he "got the support of the state government." "And here the DM is supposed to come, but he is not there. How will the meeting take place?" he also inquired.

"You know the situation here very well. My rights are justified before the Panchayat elections. The meeting was supposed to analyze how much work has been done, but no one came" he alleged. Patil is part of a delegation dispatched to the state by BJP government at the Centre to investigate and prepare a report.

He arrived in Birbhum earlier on Saturday for a two-day visit for the same. He also took part in a meeting with BJP'd Information Technology cell, and Yuva Morcha members. Responding to the remarks, Panchayat and Rural Development Department District Assistant Officer Ratnajit Das said, "We brought all the required information. The meeting lasted for an hour. I cannot comment on what he is saying."