Bengal’s assets increased by 600% in last 4 years: Mamata Banerjee

She added that if there was not a huge outgo of the state’s revenue, lakhs of people could have been provided jobs. “We are paying for the sins of the CPM. They imposed a debt burden on the youth. Neither the Congress nor the BJP helped us,” she told the gathering.
Mamata added that would start a drive in this connection after Trinamool Congress returns to power after winning the 2016 Assembly elections.

On the poor condition of the national highways in the state, the CM said: “I have complained (to the Centre) about 6 to 7 times about National Highway 34. I had spoken about it during my last visit as well:”

In a veiled attack on the BJP, Mamata said that unlike “some parties” Trinamool Congress was not engaged in religion-based politics. “Trinamool Congress is not like some parties which love to use religion for petty politics. I believe ‘Saare Jahaan Se Achha, Hindustan Humara’. The soil of Bengal belongs to the legacy of Rabindranath, Nazrul, Dwijendralal Roy. We believe in unity not hatred,” she added.
Meanwhile, claiming that Bengal was self-sufficient in power, the CM said: “We are developing a power bank. We will export power to other states in future.”

While addressing the gathering, Mamata said Rs 20 crore has been allocated for building infrastructure in the Gour Banga University in Malda district.

“The state government is setting up Biswa Bangla stores to promote mangoes, local sweets, handicrafts and local products of Malda. A new ‘Shilpa Tirtha’ is being set up in Malda for small and medium enterprises. The Centre has to ensure that jute is made mandatory for packaging. They must take the initiative to save the jute industry,” she added.

Mamata inaugurated 32 projects and laid foundation stones of 42 more in Malda — worth over Rs 460 crore — besides distributing financial assistance and bicycles to students under Sabuj Sathi scheme.

(With PTI inputs)