State panchayat and rural development minister Pradip Majumdar has sought an appointment with Union rural development minister Giriraj Singh to request the release of funds under rural development schemes put on hold by the Centre over the past few months.

If an appointment is granted, it will be the first time that a minister from Bengal will meet his or her counterpart in Delhi to place demands for the department concerned.“So far, demands of the state were placed by the chief minister before the Prime Minister. But it is significant that the panchayat minister will meet the Union rural development minister to place demands for funds,” said a senior government official.

A source said that the move suggests how badly the state needs funds to run the rural development schemes before panchayat polls next year. The Centre has stopped the release of funds under the 100 days jobs scheme, citing misappropriation of funds. The Centre also did not release funds under the PMGSY (rural roads) and the PMAY (housing for rural poor) on the pretext that the names of the schemes were changed in Bengal.

“In such a situation, states usually start lobbying through state cadre IAS officers posted in Delhi. But now the state does not have many officers in Delhi. The chief minister’s (earlier) meeting with the PM also did not yield a positive result. So, the minister took it on himself to try to ensure funds are released,” said a source.

Majumdar, the minister, said he sought appointment of the Union minister, but refused to divulge details. A senior bureaucrat said that the move was pragmatic as the meeting may result in a positive outcome.

“The situation has turned critical only because the state did not communicate with the Centre when the Centre was asking the state repeatedly to take action against irregular activities carried out under the 100 days job scheme. But since the new minister and the secretary took charge, they are in continuous touch with the Centre. It remains to be seen whether the visit of the minister to Delhi resolves the issue,” said a bureaucrat.

Senior government officials pointed out that funds under the rural development schemes are vital for the ruling establishment right now.“If rural populace does not get jobs under the 100 days job scheme or dwelling units under the PMAY, the ruling party (Trinamul) will face an awkward situation ahead of rural polls. It remains to be seen if the new panchayat minister can resolve the issue and ensure funds from Delhi,” said a source.