Calcutta, July 16: Pranab Mukherjee today assured chief minister Mamata Banerjee of the Centre's co-operation to rejuvenate the state at a meeting where the two exchanged notes on Bengal's financial health.
Mamata and Bengal minister Amit Mitra spoke with Mukherjee at his south Calcutta residence this evening for nearly two hours.
During the meeting, Mamata's recent visit to Jungle Mahal was discussed as was her forthcoming trip to Pintail for the signing of the hills tripartite agreement on Monday. Mamata described the meeting as "routine".
"We have discussed the state's financial situation. We had discussed this in the past too. Everybody knows Bengal's finances are in the doldrums. I have also briefed him about Jungle Mahal and the hills," Mamata said afterwards.
Mukherjee said he had assured Mitra that the Centre would extend all help to the state to meet its financial obligations and put Bengal on the development map.
"This year, Rs 22,224 crore has been allocated from the Planning Commission which is 29 per cent higher than last year's allocation. We have discussed how the state government can utilise this fund for development projects. We are committed to help the state government," the Union finance minister said.
"Our discussions are still on. She has taken a number of decisions to rejuvenate health, education and administration. We will co-operate."
Mamata and Mitra have held several meetings with Mukherjee since the Trinamul Congress-led government came to power, to discuss the issue of central financial assistance for Bengal.
At the news conference after the meeting, Mukherjee also said that he would miss Mamata in Parliament.
"For the last two years, she has helped me in every session to run the House. The monsoon session is approaching and a number of important bills are to be placed. We have discussed how Trinamul ministers and MPs will help in her absence to run the government and Parliament," he said.
Mamata also assured Mukherjee that Trinamul would continue to support the Congress-led UPA government in Delhi.
No comments:
Post a Comment