Kolkata, Feb 27 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has sought to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishing for debt waiver, Friday said she was compelled to take the step as the 14th Finance Commission failed to redress the issue despite assurances from the central government.
"We were assured that the 14th Finance Commission will address our problem. Since it hasn't, now we have woken from our sleep," Banerjee told media persons a day after she informed having written to Modi as Bengal needs "immediate relief from the debt burden".
"Be it (former finance ministers) Pranab Mukherjee, P Chidambaram or (union finance minister) Arun Jaitley or even (former prime minister) Manmohan Singh, all had assured that the 14th Finance Commission will take care of our problems. But that has not been. So we are forced to take up the issue.
"When we saw the report there was nothing for us. So we are forced to take the issue with the centre. We cannot allow Bengal to remain deprived," said Banerjee who has sought an appointment with Modi.
"If today Maharashtra, Rajasthan or Gujarat faced a similar problem, wouldn't the government have helped them? Why should we be made to pay for the crime of the erstwhile government," said Banerjee who has been blaming the erstwhile Left Front government for the huge debt burden.
Meanwhile the opposition has given mixed response to Banerjee - also the Trinamool Congress supremo - who has asked it to accompany her to the meet with Modi.
Speaking during the debate on the governor's address in the state assembly, Banerjee Thursday said she would be "happy" if the opposition parties joined her.
While the Congress has called for a formal proposal in the assembly for the move, the Communist Party of India-Marxist led Left Front outrightly rejected the idea.
"Just for the sake of it she has asked the opposition to join her. If she really intends that the opposition should join her. then let her bring a formal proposal through the speaker in the assembly. We will be happy to join the demand for the state's development," said Congress legislator Manas Bhunia.
Leader of Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra, of the CPI-M, said: "She was part of the centre both with the BJP and the Congress, did she did anything for providing such moratorium to any state?
"She is blaming us for the debt burden. But what about the Rs.80,000 crore that her government has incurred in debts? Who will share that burden."
"Her demands are impossible. The way she has been blaming us for the debt burden, I think only a lunatic will join her. What is the benefit of going when her leaders have swindled money and are being arrested and grilled by the CBI," said Mishra, referring to the multi-crore rupee Saradha scam in which several of Trinamool leaders have been jailed and grilled.
"She takes out rallies against us calling us thieves, we can't join her," he added.
However, lone Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Samik Bhatatcharya said his party did not believe in politics of division and assured assistance when the issue involved the welfare of the state.
Israel War: War broke out between Israel and Hamas because of Al-Aqsa, which is the third holiest place after Mecca and Medina.
Israel Hamas War Israel has declared war after the Hamas attack. The conflict is still going on in Israel, while the Israeli Air Force is carrying out rapid attacks in the Gaza Strip under the control
Dragon making virus-like Corona: People are not getting food and medicines, but China engaged in making Bio Weapon with Pakistan
The havoc of Corona is not over yet and China has started making new viruses with the Pakistan Army. This has been revealed in the report of the Australian portal The Clauson. According to this, these
SSC MTS Final Result 2023: SSC MTS final result released; 1729 candidates selected, result of 57 withheld
SSC MTS Final Result 2023: The Staff Selection Commission has released the final result of the Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) and Havildar examination. Along with this, the commission has also declared the
Anupam Kher, furious at the suggestion to put 'The Kashmir Files' on YouTube, said- 'Those who are making fun of them...'
Vivek Agnihotri's film 'The Kashmir Files' is growing at a great pace at the box office. The film has earned more than 200 crores in 13 days. This film has also broken the record of Akshay Kumar's
Kejriwal chose Perfect Victory over Perfect Party
From the happenings of recent weeks, it will be tempting to deduce that Arvind Kejriwal is a Stalinist who, like all autocrats, hates democracy and dissension and loves yes-men. That's what Prashant
Ban on Wheat Export: Wheat is not cheaper than export ban, only 54 paise relief in 12 days
Despite the ban on the export of wheat, its prices in the domestic market are not coming down. Wheat prices have softened by just 54 paise per kg in the retail market in 12 days since the ban. There
India trusts Pakistan: Know what are the equations to reach the World Cup semi-finals, the way for Team India is easy
The series of upheavals in the T20 World Cup continues. On Thursday, Pakistan's team had to face defeat against an opponent considered weak like Zimbabwe. This is Pakistan's second consecutive defeat
This bowler of 7.75 crores will join the RCB team between IPL 2023! Wreaks havoc with a speed of 150
Josh Hazelwood Likely To Join RCB Team in between IPL 2023. The 32nd match of IPL 2023 is being played between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals. In this match, the RCB team batting
Sydney murder: Sushma Swaraj speaks to victim's husband
New Delhi, March 9 (IANS) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday said she has spoken to the husband of Indian woman IT consultant Prabha Arun, who was stabbed to death in Australia's
First black woman judge in US Supreme Court: ketanji Brown sworn in; The Justice whose clerk was there, will now sit in her place.
Ketonji Brown Jackson has become the first black female judge of the US Supreme Court. He took the oath of office and secrecy on Thursday night. His name was recommended by President Joe Biden. The
