The West Bengal Chief Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, met the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Friday and sought the Centre's help in improving the State's poor financial health.

“I had told the Prime Minister last time also and today I reminded him again on West Bengal's poor financial health,” Ms Banerjee told reporters here.

She said West Bengal should not be compared with other States as “no development could take place in the State because of the misrule” of the last 35 years.

Referring to acute shortage of manpower, especially in the IAS and IPS cadres in the State, she said there were a large number of vacant posts at senior levels, which was hampering administration.

She also sought a moratorium for at least three years on repayment of loan by the State, keeping in view its financial condition.

The State government had earlier sought a special financial package of Rs 1,900 crore from the Centre soon after coming to power in May. She sought the Centre's immediate intervention for repair of National Highway 31 and National Highway 34 which, she said, were in very bad condition.

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