Banerjee said that the Centre had recently reduced the state’s kerosene allocation, and it was affecting the common man badly.
“We have tried to manage the situation for the past two months using the kerosene in our stock. But it is not possible to continue like this. I have tried a lot and even thought of procuring kerosene, if possible, to meet the shortfall. But the state government doesn’t have the logistics. So I written to the Prime Minister this morning,” she said.
She stated in the letter that “the reduced allocation would cause grave distress to the consumers in remote and tribal areas and adversely affect the poor, SC/STs, minorities and economically weaker sections in the state.”
Stating that 1.41 crore fake ration cards had been cancelled in the state, Banerjee further mentioned in the letter that “in view of the above, it would not be appropriate to reduce allocation of kerosene which is much essential for basic needs such as lighting and cooking. The education of poor children would also be adversely affected”. It may be mentioned that on June 10 Banerjee wrote to Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, seeking his intervention in the matter. On Monday, Banerjee has sought the Prime Minister’s intervention, as there was no reply from the Centre in this regard.
Banerjee further said that the Centre had also stopped the fund to undertake the development work in Junglemahal. But the state government had continued to carry out development of the region.
“We believe in working for the people and it has been proved that if you work for the people neither conspiracy nor canards can stop you,” she said, adding that 16,000 people from West Midnapore district had received benefits under state government schemes.
She assured that all projects and schemes for the common people would continue. Suvendu Adhikari, the state transport minister, who was also present in the meeting, said that Mamata Banerjee would establish socialism in India in the future.