August 23, 2012
West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee met Union Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram at his North Block office on Thursday.
`This was a courtesy meeting since we did not meet after taking over as Union Finance Minister. I discussed inflation in price of fertilizers as the poor farmers are unable to purchase fertilizers. I am aggrieved to see their plight and want the Centre to announce some subsidy on fertilizers`, said Chief Minister. She mentioned that there are many poor states in India and farmers cannot afford to buy the fertilizers being imported, `Take for example West Bengal which is a poor state and my farmers cannot afford to buy the expensive fertilizers. We cannot continue to burden them like this. However, the Finance Minister has assured me that he will look into the matter`, added Ms. Mamata Banerjee who added, `When I take up a national issue please appreciate that I do it in the interest of entire country and want farmers all over India to get benefited`.
Chief Minister also discussed the poor condition of National Highways, `I apprised the Finance Minister of the poor condition of National Highway No. 6, 34, 2, 11 due to the lacuna on the part of National Highway Authority of India`.
`In our election manifesto what we raised, we will stick to it. We are not in favour of foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail since we are with common man and if FDI comes then many poor people will have no employment and we cannot allow that to happen`, said Ms. Mamata Banerjee. `Even other countries all over world are also saying if they allow FDI in retail market, then workers will die, we stand by our manifesto and oppose FDI`, she added.
Chief Minister on the issue of paralyzing the Parliament proceeding by the opposition over the issue of corruption in coal during the past few consecutive days said, `Parliament is the pillar of democracy and there is always a room for debate and discussion in democracy. The opposition must raise a issue democratically and settle down for a open debate which should be attended by all the political parties but stopping the proceedings in Parliament is undemocratic`.
Chief Minister attended the Coordination Committee Meeting of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) on Wednesday evening at 7, Race Course Road in New Delhi. Ms. Banerjee is expected to meet Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in the evening today.
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