KOLKATA 11 APRIL: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said that the letter issued by the Center on Friday mentioned some selected areas where lockdown has been violated and she specifically mentioned that the country is fighting corona virus and not “communal virus.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi told her that the lockdown is going to be extended for two more weeks and according to the plan the state has also decided to extend the lockdown for two more weeks, till April 30.
Banerjee said: “Center wrote to us asking us to take special care in some selected areas. All can understand which areas they meant. We are fighting Coronavirus, not ‘communal’ virus. Some people are taking advantage of this situation and trying to politicise the issue. I have informed the matter to the Prime Minister and he took a note of it. We are taking care of each and every area and whichever area is sensitive we are taking extra measures to fight the COVID-19.”
“A political party’s IT cell is trying to create fake news and trying to portray a negative image of the West Bengal government. I have also informed the matter to the PM and told him to look into this matter at the time of crisis,” Banerjee added.
In the letter that was sent to West Bengal government, it was mentioned that there has been a gradual dilution of the lockdown in some areas, with an increase in the number of exceptions provided by the state government. The areas include – Rajabazar, Garden Reach, Narkel Bagan, Topsia, Metiaburz, Ekbalpore and Manicktala in Kolkata. There is no regulation in vegetable, fish , mutton markets where people have been thronging in complete violation of the social distancing norms.
Banerjee said: “the disease is spreading through human contact and as a responsible citizen it is our duty to follow the guidelines stipulated by the Center and the state government.”
With 10 ‘hotspots’ identified by the state government Banerjee said that they will not consider it as hotspots rather implement the lockdown on micro-planning basis in sensitive areas.
When reporters questioned her about the measures that will be taken in the hotspots, Banerjee said: “Why are you concerned about the hotspots? We are not claiming them as hotspot. These are a part of micro -planning and according to our information we are getting from our apps, we will take special vigilance in some sensitive areas. But local market place, grocery shops will be open and people can buy the products.” Banerjee added.
Mamata’s demand to PM
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sought IT relief for the donors on contribution to Chief Minister Care Fund, as has been made applicable to PM Care Fund.
Banerjee said: “I have requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide tax relief in the CM fund as it has been made applicable to PM Care Fund.
Senior officials of the state government said that to provide tax relief, the Union Finance Ministry needs to issue a notification.
Under the 80G of Income Tax there is provision of tax relief in case of CM relief fund.”
Banerjee also demanded an economic and health package to the tune of Rs 10 lakh crore. “Government of India has disbursed 1.7 lakh crore till now and I urge him to provide this package to fight the COVID 19 crisis,” Banerjee added.
80 G of Income Tax Act
Section 80G of the I-T Act allows donations made to specified relief funds and charitable institutions as a deduction from gross total income before arriving at taxable income.
Banerjee has also demanded the funds that are pending from the Union government including the GST and Rs 25,000 crore financial package, should be immediately disbursed as the state government is reeling under financial crunch.
Several measures have been taken after lockdown has been extended for two more weeks.
Apart from essential commodities, relief has been given to the bakery industry. Moreover to avoid heavy rush, local markets and grocery shops will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m .