Centre snatching away our livelihood: Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: Claiming that the central government was taking away West Bengal's entire revenue for servicing its debt, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused it of being insensitive towards the needs of her state.

"All our revenue is being taken away by the centre for servicing the debts that were incurred by the previous regime. We are not left with a single paisa. Why are you (centre) punishing us for faults which are not ours," said Banerjee.

Speaking at the inauguration of Milan Mela 2012 at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, Banerjee accused the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government of trying to snatch the state's livelihood.

Asserting that Bengal was not a \"beggar\", Mamata accused the central government of discrimination.

"They had allowed the Left to make so much debt, but they have been denying us the same. Why are you trying to snatch away our livelihood? The people of Bengal will have to assert their rights and demand that the centre stop taking away all the money," she said.

"Stop taking the interest. We want justice. If you have the guts then punish those who have taken the debts and don't try to kill us by taking away all our money. We are innocent and you cannot kill us," said Banerjee.

Asserting that Bengal was not a "beggar", she accused the central government of discrimination.

"The centre provided us only three percent bank loan while the other states have been getting more. We get the lowest. Even Andhra Pradesh got 49 percent loans. Are we beggars or we do not give you revenue?"

She said that in spite of all the financial constraints, her government was working hard to ensure that the people are benefitted.

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