Centre pushing states towards debt trap: Mamata

Kalyani (WB), Aug 12: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the Centre of "pushing" the states towards a "debt trap" and said West Bengal is paying Rs 47,000 crore as debt servicing every year, which is set to climb to Rs 60,000 crore next year.

"From where will we get the money to run the state? We are paying for the sins of the previous Left Front regime. This is totally unacceptable. The Centre is slowly trying to push the states towards a debt trap," she alleged.

Speaking to mediapersons after an administrative meeting at Kalyani in Nadia district, Banerjee hit out at the Centre for "not releasing funds" for various development projects, and dubbed it as a policy of "political discrimination".

The Centre has withheld funds under MNREGA and other schemes. Under the Pardhan Mantri Sarak Yojna too, the Centre is not releasing funds, the Chief Minister claimed.

"The Centre is pursuing a policy of political discrimination. They are making tall claims about bank accounts opened under Jan Dhan Yojna. But the fact is, when an account-holder is seeking a loan he or she is denied the loan," she alleged.

In June, Banerjee had termed the debt trap as a "death trap" and called for a discussion among states on the issue.

PTI