West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today demanded a three-year debt moratorium to rescue her state from the hapless financial condition burdened by a humongous loan of Rs 2.03 lakh crore.
“We earn Rs 21,000 crore but end up paying Rs 22,000 crore as tax to the Reserve Bank of India annually. This is because of the 35 years of misrule by one party in the state,” Banerjee said while blaming the Left for the fiscal fiasco in West Bengal after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.
Money problem. Image courtesy PIB
“There is no fund left with us for BPL cards, roads, education and health. You cannot compare Bengal with other states financially. In other states, political parties are responsible enough. One party rule has destroyed the state,” the West Bengal chief minister said.
The Trinamool chief was categorical that she did want any package but a moratorium.
“I did not ask for a package, I asked for justice. I need a moratorium on the model of Kerala and Punjab,” Banerjee said.
The chief minister also aggressively refused to accept the Union finance ministry’s difficulties in allowing a moratorium to West Bengal.
“What food they can digest, I cannot digest. The food that I can only digest is what my people deserve,” Banerjee said.
The chief minister said the prime minster has given assurances to look into her pleas.
