Pranab promises all help to West Bengal

KOLKATA, May 30, 2011.



State\'s financial position "almost an Emergency," says Mamata



The Centre will provide all help to the West Bengal government to overcome its financial difficulties, Union Finance Minster Pranab Mukherjee said on Sunday.



Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Mr. Mukherjee at his residence here to discuss the State\'s finances and the possibility of the Centre releasing funds. State Finance Minister Amit Mitra and Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee were present.



"I have promised that all sorts of help will be provided to the State to overcome the difficult situation," Mr. Mukherjee told journalists after the meeting, describing the State\'s financial condition as a "difficult situation."



"Whatever short-term assistance is required will be provided, and after discussions, a long-term plan for the State\'s financial recovery will be worked out," he said.



However, neither of them provided any detail of a special economic package. "The details will be worked out in Delhi in consultation with officials of the State and the Central governments," Mr. Mukherjee said.



Describing the State\'s financial position as "almost an Emergency" and a "disaster worse than Aila," Ms. Banerjee said she had the faith that the State and Central governments would together be able to overcome the crisis. Short-term, medium-term and long-term measures were required to revive the State\'s financial health and further discussions would be held in New Delhi.



"The treasury was absolutely closed since November last year. This is a very serious situation. Embargoes had been placed on certain social sectors and no money was given out," Ms. Banerjee said.


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