We don't need alms, Mamata on central funds

Continuing her tirade against the central government over the debt issue, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday said the meagre central funds the state was receiving were hampering development.

Addressing a government programme in Plassey in Nadia district, Banerjee also attacked the erstwhile Left Front government in the state for neglecting development and burdening the state with debts.

"The central government says it has been providing us funds under various developmental projects. How much do they give? They take Rs.40,000 crore from us and give us just Rs.8,000-10,000 crore. We don't need your alms, we are not beggars.

"Stop taking this money and we will turn Bengal into a global force to be reckoned with," said Banerjee.

"Despite increasing our revenue, we are left with nothing as the central government takes away everything. If this stops, we can give jobs to one lakh people every year," said Banerjee.

Facing a severe financial crunch, the Banerjee government earlier put a proposal before the 14th Finance Commission, demanding Rs.2,55,000 crore for five years (2015-20) besides rescheduling the 10-year State Development Loan to a longer period of 15 to 20 years with a three-year interest moratorium.

Banerjee lambasted the opposition Left Front for indulging in petty politics and interfering in her government's working.

"You had 34 years, why didn't you work then? In these 34 years, you could have turned Bengal into numero uno. But you did not. You never thought about the problems of the common man. So now, when we are working for development, then do not interfere," added Banerjee.

She enumerated several new and existing developmental schemes her government had initiated and announced the setting up of a medical college besides cheap medicine and diagnostic centres in the district.