Mamata Banerjee on Saturday urged the Narendra Modi government to allocate an amount equivalent to at least 6 per cent of India’s GDP for the nation’s war effort against the coronavirus pandemic, and also demanded another Rs 61,000 crore in dues and relief for Bengal.
The chief minister said she cited the examples of the US, which allocated 10 per cent of its GDP, the UK, which assigned 15 per cent, and Japan, which set aside 20 per cent, to suggest a minimum of 6 per cent for India.
“India should allot 6 per cent, at least, of its GDP. A national economy and health package of Rs 10 lakh crore should be announced for the states from that,” Mamata said, adding that she was the only chief minister to place such a demand.
The nominal GDP projection for 2019-20 was Rs 211 lakh crore, whose 6 per cent works out to Rs 12.66 lakh crore.
“It is only practical. It will benefit the nation — the Centre and the states…. The states have had no earning, only burning. Thousands and thousands of crores we have been spending on infrastructure and relief measures amid the pandemic, although there is no income now,” she said at
a news conference at Nabanna, hours after she attended the Prime Minister’s videoconference with all chief ministers.
“We have to decide whether our bigger fight will be against hunger or against the disease. Let us take steps so that we are able to fight with the disease and do not have to fight with hunger…. We have to find a balance between saving livelihoods and saving lives,” she said.
Mamata said she demanded the immediate release of the Centre’s dues to Bengal to the tune of Rs 36,000 crore, besides a special relief package of Rs 25,000 crore. She said she also sought special packages for migrant workers, the travel and tourism sector, the pharmaceutical sector, agriculture and the MSME sector.
“The sectors being hit the hardest are these right now, those need special care, prioritised attention. That we underscored,” she said, adding production and supply of essential commodities must remain unhindered.
Mamata also demanded the release of two months’ pay for those under the central 100-day employment guarantee scheme.
The chief minister said she specifically sought continuation of strict sealing of international borders, besides the continued suspension of international flights and passenger train services.
“I said, if necessary, (Union home minister) Amit Shah should hold a meeting to
prevent compromise of the special provisions through
the porous unfenced parts of the borders. Borders and their security are your (the Centre’s) responsibility. Please take special care. Should anything go wrong, Bengal has to suffer with so many international and state borders,” she said.
The chief minister said the meeting with Modi was, overall, “good”. “Everybody gave their opinion…. It was bhaloi,” she said.
“If there is a fire in my home, rebuilding it afresh takes a bit of time. Right now, there is a fire of the pandemic raging, a nightmare of a fire. We must first fight it together, so that first the flames are doused, quickly,” Mamata added.
