Mamata Banerjee meets PM Modi over debt

West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press for moratorium on interest payments over the outstanding debt of the state government. She also met Union finance minister Arun Jaitely and reiterated her demands for the restructuring of the debt of the state government.

The chief minister also sought additional financial assistance from the Central government for undertaking developmental works in the state. She met Mr Jaitely at his residence over lunch, while she called on the Prime MInister at his office in the Parliament complex.

Ms Banerjee also pressed Mr Jaitely to expedite the Aadhar enumeration in West Bengal, saying currently it’s just 40 per cent, which will make the roll out of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) difficult.

“The Central government should do some plan to restructure the debt. Otherwise all states in the country will be heavily debt-ridden,” Ms Banerjee told reporters after her meeting with the Prime Minister, who reportdely assured her that the Centre would look into the demands of the state government. Ms Banerjee said that the West Bengal government is facing about Rs 2 lakh crore debt burden. “We have Rs 53,000 crore budget and we have to pay Rs 60,000 crore for loan payment. This is not possible,” she said.

The chief minister also raised the issue of the flood situation in the state. “State is witnessing heavy rains causing road blocks and damage. Monsoon is on and it will continue for two more months,” she said. For flood relief, West Bengal had last demanded Rs 9,000 crore, but had got only Rs 600 crore, she said.