Mamata seeks meet with PM

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that she had sought an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his two- day visit to the state from May 9- 10 to apprise him of the demands of the state on various social sector schemes.

“It’s a courtesy that a ( state) government meets the PM and gives a memorandum to him regarding the development of the state,” she announced in Jalpaiguri.

Virtually repeating her complaints against the Centre, Ms Banerjee said that many welfare schemes had been put on the back burner because of the suspension of Central funds. “There are some schemes which have been totally stopped because the funds are not coming, even there are huge funds pending for the 100 days jobs scheme. These are all important programmes for my state. If the Prime Minister gives us time, we will certainly raise these issues,” she added,

She pointed out that all social sector schemes could not be suspended because they were the backbone of society. “It is our responsibility to help the poor. We will fulfil our social commitments,” she said.

She claimed that the Centre had either fully stopped or partially curtailed funds for schemes and projects like Sarbasikhya Abhiyan, 100 days’ work, development of hills, modernisation of the police force and the development of Junglemahal. Ms Banerjee said that if she got an appointment with Mr Modi during his visit, she would meet him along with the state finance minister, chief secretary and home secretary to raise the fund issue.

The chief minister is likely to share stage with Mr Modi when he will inaugurate the ` 18,000 crore, modernised Indian Iron & Steel Company ( IISCO) in Burnpur on May 10.

She is also likely to accompany him on his visit to Ramakrishna Math and Mission headquarters at Belur.