Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said Bengal was suffering in the aftermath of cyclone Bulbul as the Union government could not release Rs 640 crore from central taxes in the current fiscal because of the economic slowdown.

This had left the state heavily dependant on its own revenues for relief and rehabilitation measures in the cyclone-hit areas Mamata said. “The Centre could not disburse funds as promised earlier under the devolution of central taxes due to the slowdown in the economy. We did not get Rs 640 crore as the Centre could not give 42 per cent of the total revenue generation to the states….We are carrying out rehabilitation and relief distribution from our own funds.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah had spoken to the chief minister after the cyclone and assured all assistance.