Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has urged the Centre to clear the dues at the earliest as the state has to give free ration to 3 crore people, free-of-cost. She was addressing the Assembly this afternoon, when she said, “We have to spend a huge amount to give free ration to people. We do not impose tax and our only source of income is from our share in GST. I earnestly urge the Centre to clear our dues at the earliest.”
Miss Banerjee said earlier the state had to heavily depend on the onion that used to come from Nasik. Now, districts like Bankura and Murshidabad are producing onions and 40 per cent of the state’s requirement is being met within the state.
She expressed concerns over the fall in the price of potatoes which is going to hit the farmers badly. “The state government is procuring potatoes at Rs 6.50 per kg to give some relief to the farmers.”
Miss Banerjee maintained that 1.86 crore fake ration cards have been cancelled. These ration cards were issued during the Left Front regime. “We have worked on it and cancelled the fake cards,” she said.
Food minister Rathin Ghosh said in 2022-23 financial year the department completed an additional 45,000 MT storage capacity under different schemes till 31 December, 2022. Construction of godowns with an estimated storage capacity of 73,700 MT is in progress in 12 locations under various schemes.
Mr Ghosh said the department is carrying out massive campaign under Upovokta Samporko Avijan under which there is direct interaction between the officials of the department and the beneficiaries.
We have to spend a huge amount to give free ration to people. We do not impose tax and our only source of income is from our share in GST. I earnestly urge the Centre to clear our dues at the earliest, CM Mamata Banerjee said.