Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 16 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday pointed out difficulties with birth certificate availability for Special Intensive Revision (SIR), citing past limitations in institutional deliveries.
This comes amid the Election Commission's plans to start a SIR in West Bengal in the coming days.
"From where will people get their birth certificate for SIR? It was not possible at that time, as institutional delivery was not prevalent...," said the West Bengal CM while unveiling the new Woodburn 2 building 'Ananya' at the SSKM hospital in Kolkata.
Earlier on September 11, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh called out Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls a "good practice" and said that poll body should have conducted this exercise in West Bengal before carrying it out in Bihar.
Speaking to ANI, Ghosh said, "First of all, it should have been done in Bengal but it's good that this practice has been done in Bihar. It will be done in Bengal too. Full preparations are going on for it."
However, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not yet announced any dates for conducting the SIR in the state, with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar saying on August 17 that a decision will be taken on it.
"The three Election Commissioners will decide when the exercise of SIR will be carried out in West Bengal or other states," the CEC had said in a press conference in Delhi.
Mamata Banerjee also voiced concerns over the state's financial struggles, particularly regarding Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation and project funding. She highlighted that West Bengal isn't receiving Rs 20,000 crore in GST compensation and faces challenges in securing funds for various initiatives.
"We don't get compensation of Rs 20 thousand crore for GST. We don't even get funds for projects. We are number one in health care services in India...," Mamata Banerjee said while addressing an event.
Several political parties demanded special compensation for the next five years from the Centre after they announced the new GST reforms, applicable from September 22. The major reason behind the compensation was to protect the state's revenues from losses. (ANI)
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