COVID-19: Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Modi; urges for sanction Rs 25,000 cr for Bengal

Amid spike in cases of Coronavirus, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to sanction Rs 25,000 crores for West Bengal and release funds still due to state saying that state's finances are in "dire situation". 

Mamata Banerjee has been seen making multiple efforts for people of her state against deadly COVID-19 virus where she was leading from front. Her surprise visits to hospitals and markets where she was marking distance for people was highly appreciated from all quarters.

"May I bring to your kind attention that our state finances, like that of many or states, is in a dire situation with practically revenue flows after closure of almost all businesses. Despite this, we were somehow able to pay salaries, ws and pensions of government employees this month, though some major states of country could t even do that in full," Banerjee stated in letter to Prime Minister.

"We are also having to hour our commitments of providing free ration to almost 9 crore people, who need this so crucially to survive in se perilous times. You will recall that prior to current COVID-19 pandemic and 'lockdown', Government of India had already reduced ir devolution to our state by over Rs 11,000 crore and were yet to pay Rs 36,000 crore owed by Gol to our State," read letter.

"I earnestly urge you to sanction a grant of a minimum of Rs 25,000 crores for State of West Bengal and release funds still due to us from Government of India, as per my earlier letter to you. To uphold spirit of cooperative federalism, we need this minimum help from central government to cope with this unprecedented impasse at this hour to fight against COVID- 19 pandemic," it said.

Earlier, Banerjee said that re are 37 COVID-19 positive cases in West Bengal including three deaths and three people who have been cured. w, re are 31 active cases in state, she said.

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West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Contributes Rs 5 Lakh To PM-CARES Fund

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee anunced that she has contributed Rs 5 lakhs to PM-CARES Fund. She also donated Rs 5 lakhs to West Bengal Emergency Relief Fund. After she visited Lalbazar, which is headquarters of Kolkata Police, she took to Twitter to anunce her contribution in hour of crisis.

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(with inputs from ANI)