Modi gave "factually incorrect" data about Bengal: TMC

Image
Press Trust of India Kolkata
Last Updated : Feb 05 2014 | 11:41 PM IST
Ruling Trinamool Congress today said BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi gave "factually incorrect" data about West Bengal during a party rally here.
"The honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat made a few statements which were factually incorrect," said a post in the party's website.
At the rally, Modi had mentioned that only 35 per cent schools in the state have electricity and that 60 per cent girls' schools in the state have toilets.
"The research team, which provided him with these figures, clearly depended on an old report. According to the report of a review committee meeting held today, 98 per cent schools in West Bengal have toilets while most primary, upper primary, secondary and higher secondary schools have uninterrupted power supply," the statement said.
It pointed out that West Bengal is the only state in India to have a power bank.
In the last session of West Bengal assembly, the state Power Minister Manish Gupta had informed the House that West Bengal will achieve 100 per cent rural electrification by December 2014.
"As of December 2013, West Bengal achieved 60 per cent rural electrification (up from 10 per cent during the Left Front rule)," the Trinamool Congress said.
The statement said that with a debt burden of over Rs 2 lakh crores and a yearly interest of Rs 28,000 crores, little money is available for the government to spend for public purpose.
"However, West Bengal government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, managed to increase revenue collection from Rs 22,000 crore (in 2011-12) to Rs 40,000 crore (2013-14, till August), which is about 81.8 per cent," it said.
At the rally, BJP president Rajnath Singh had sympathised with Banerjee's demand for a bailout package for the debt-ridden state saying the UPA government should have given a moratorium on loan repayment to the Centre.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 05 2014 | 11:41 PM IST

Next Story