UPA spends money for ads, but not for Bengal: Mamata

Jalpaiguri (WB): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the Congress led UPA government of denying her state funds under the MGNREGA and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan schemes. “They (the Centre) are spending so much money for the advertisement campaign but not giving us money for 100 days work and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan,” she said at a rally of Adivasis at Mal where the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad (ABAVP) accorded her special honour. [caption id=“attachment_1386739” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Mamata Banerjee. Reuters[/caption] Hitting out at the UPA government at the Centre for ’economic deprivation’, she said those who did so would be given a political reply. The Chief Minister said the state is not begging for alms from the Centre, but merely asking for its due. West Bengal is facing severe financial crisis as the Centre took away most of the taxes collected by it as payments on interest, she said. “We will realise our right … We do not want any alms. We will not beg before the Centre. Netaji (Subhas Chandra Bose) said nobody would give rights on a platter and had to be attained,” Banerjee said. “Those who have deprived Bengal will understand that Bengal will lead India and the world. Those who have been depriving Bengal will realise that Bengal will show the way.” Since its takeover on May 20, 2011, the TMC government has stated time and again that it had inherited a bankrupt state. Banerjee was felicitated as per traditional adivasi custom in which her feet were washed and she was bestowed the ‘Singideo’ title, named after a brave adivasi woman. She assured the adivasis of redressing their problems. “For 34 years nothing was done for the tribals. Keep faith in me, I will make sure that infrastructural development takes place and other amenities are provided to you,” Banerjee said. ABAVP state president Birsa Tirkey and its central president Somji Bhai Damor were present at the dias with her. PTI