West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday raised the issue that, Central Government did not paying the dues of the state for different schemes during Durga Puja inauguration.

She said, “Will they return our money? Funds for 100 days’ work, for Awas Yojana, for roads, for Jal Swapno, for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan: everything has been stalled. And now, again, a loss of Rs 20,000 crore has been inflicted. How will I run the state in such conditions? Still, I am happy that the people will benefit. But no compensation has been given, this money has simply been cut from our GST share. The so-called ‘double engine government’ will quietly take it back through back channels.”

On GST and Bengal asmita

Banerjee again raised GST issue and “Bangla asmita” issue during her speech at 25 pally durga puja inauguration. She said, “I love and respect all languages. But our mother tongue is our own, and no one can disrespect it. When we say ‘Jai Hind’ or ‘Vande Mataram,’ we also say ‘Joy Bangla.’ Always remember that.”

She then added, “I will speak about GST another time. But let me make it clear: this is no credit to the central government. I was the first to write a letter demanding that insurance be exempt from GST. Many life-saving medicines and small items had GST. The central government has not spent a single penny for this relief, it has all come from the coffers of state governments. They take the credit, but we have borne the cost.”

She also said, “National media and most other media remain controlled. But I will place the truth before the people. I will even take out advertisements to make sure they know the loss we have suffered.”

Banerjee felt nostalgic

She also felt nostalgic during puja inauguration as it was her own childhood areas. She said, “As long as I am alive, I will keep coming here. This para (area) feels like my own neighbourhood. The work they have done is so beautiful, truly incomparable. From the primitive culture of the Adivasis to the traditions of every region, everything has been included here. The creations with mud, straw, jute sticks, such artistry!”

She added, “I remember this para even more because as a child, I used to visit Amal Mukherjee’s house here. When I had just started politics, he was the South Kolkata District Congress Treasurer. That lives on in my memories. This is the true example of a cosmopolitan India: unity in diversity is the theme. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, everyone comes together in the name of Maa Durga.”

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