Mamata writes to Modi, seeks Rs 25,000 crore financial aid
Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, seeking financial help of Rs 25,000 crore to fulfil the state government's commitments towards providing free ration to people and continuing other welfare schemes amid a dip in the revenue at a time when all businesses have closed down due to the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown.
In the letter, Banerjee stated that the West Bengal government needs assistance from the Centre to cope with the unprecedented "impasse to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic".
"Our state finance like that of many other states is in a dire situation with practically no revenue flows after the closure of all businesses. Despite this, we have somehow been able to pay the salaries, wages and pensions of government employees this month though some major states of the country could not do that on full. And even with the massive debt trap left behind by the previous government, we were able to service the debt so far, but future remains uncertain," she said in the letter. "Furthermore, we are required to meet our commitments towards girl child, students, farmers, unorganised workers, weaker sections, minorities, SC, ST and OBCs. We are also having to honour our commitments of providing free ration to almost 9 crore people, who need this so crucially to survive in this perilous time," she mentioned.
Despite such financial constraints, the state government has ensured salaries of its employees when "some major states in the country" have only managed to clear 50 or 60 per cent salaries of their employees, she wrote in the letter stating that her government is even continuing to clear "the debt that was left behind by the erstwhile Left Front government."
She also demanded relaxations on the debt as suggested by state Finance minister Amit Mitra earlier due to the rapidly deteriorating economic situation.
While addressing the media at Nabanna on the present situation in the state in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, Banerjee said: "We would have started taking precautionary measures much earlier if the Centre had sent us the advisory at the right time."
In the same breath, she urged Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha to read out a letter of Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan on March 13 in which it was stated that "there is no epidemic of COVID-19 in the country."
Banerjee also urged the media not to create hype on figures related to the number of positive cases or deaths due to COVID-19. "It is the time to fight the battle together and so I urge all not to show any figure unless it is confirmed by the state government. It would also not be right to claim a person died due to COVID-19 if the death is due to some other reason," she said.
The Chief Minister further added that at least 37 have tested positive till date, out of which, three have been released as they are completely cured and three have died.
At the same time, she stated that the next two weeks would be very crucial and urged people not to come out of their houses without any valid reason. She also requested people not to gather at marketplaces as steps have been taken for a sufficient supply of essential goods.
While speaking on those who have returned to the state after attending a religious event in Delhi, Banerjee said that around 71 from Bengal had gone there and so far, 54 including 40 foreign nationals have been quarantined. "There are some more people in three districts and we are hopeful that they will also report to the police," Banerjee said.
The Chief Minister also attended a blood donation camp organised by the Kolkata Police at Netaji Indoor Stadium where 50 cops would donate blood every day for the next one month.
Meanwhile, the state government has begun the distribution of free of cost ration from Wednesday.
