December 3, 2015
Full solidarity with Tamil Nadu, but don’t deprive Bengal: Trinamool
Leaders of Trinamool Congress today expressed solidarity with the people of Tamil Nadu while questioning the Central Government why Bengal has been deprived of funds for flood and drought relief.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu and Andhra. Give aid to Tamil Nadu and Andhra. They deserve your attention. We are with them. But why is Bengal being deprived,” asked Derek O’Brien, leader of the party in Rajya Sabha.
His sentiments were echoed by Sudip Banerjee, leader of the party in Lok Sabha. “I wanted to know categorically that what is the system of allotment of money, the central team goes and comes back, but the amount that is decided is not fixed in consultation with the Chief Ministers of the states or their representatives, it is suo motu. They take the decision absolutely on their own,” he said.
West Bengal government had soughts funds to the tune of Rs 6,000 crore due to the flood and Rs 4,000 crore due to drought. WB CM has written several letters to the Prime Minister in this regard.
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy wanted the Home Minister to clarify if the Rs 300 crore fund released by SDRF was an interim relief.
Derek O’Brien insisted that the Centre give full attention to Tamil Nadu and Andhra but not deprive Bengal in the process.
Click here for full transcript of Sudip Bandyopadhyay’s speech
Click here for full transcript of Derek O’Brien’s speech
