The West Bengal Chief Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, on Saturday gave a 15-day deadline to the Centre for granting an interest moratorium to the ‘debt-ridden' State.
The State Government has been repeatedly urging the Centre to give an interim relief from servicing its interest obligation, she said.
“It will be a big issue if the Centre continues to remain indifferent. I will still wait for 15 days. I have earlier told the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and met with the Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, several times (in this regard),” Ms Banerjee said on the sidelines of a State-sponsored conference in Kolkata.
“We do not have enough income to pay the interest on the huge amount of debt bestowed by the previous Left Front government. We have been urging (the Centre) that we do not need its mercy. However, it (Centre) should provide us at least three-year interest moratorium,” Ms Banerjee added.
She criticised the Union Government's move to deduct Rs 1,500 crore from the State's share of Central Sales Tax (CST) compensation.
“It (the Centre) is taking Rs 22,000 crore as interest. On top of that, it is deducting Rs 1,500 crore from CST compensation. This will make the State further debt-ridden and will come in the way of its efficient functioning,” she said.
Meanwhile, speaking at the event, Ms Banerjee said that Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers would be given independent powers in the State. The eligibility to become a deputy secretary has been reduced to 16 years from the current 20 years .