Kolkata, Feb 9 (PTI) The war of words between Congress and the West Bengal government over Central assistance continued today with Finance minister Amit Mitra saying money given to states was their "legitimate right" under constitutional provisions and not the Centre's "mercy". "Constitutional provision 272 makes it a right of the state to receive from the Central taxes including Income Tax which is all that we have got," Mitra said. The Finance Minister was giving his views on the press statement by Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi yesterday claiming that between May 20, 2011 to February 6, 2012, Rs 23,695 crore approximately was disbursed/released to state. Stating that West Bengal had received less than other states on that count, he said, "Upto December one last year the state has got Rs 12,321 crore against Rs 33,376 crore given to Uttar Pradesh, Rs 18,517 crore to Bihar and Rs 12,077 crore to Madhya Pradesh." He said West Bengal was to get Rs 19,000 crore as share from Central taxes in the current financial year. "In the remaining months we are expecting to get from the Centre another Rs 7,000 crore." Mitra said "if anyone says that it is showing mercy by giving this amount to the state it will be wrong. To get money from the taxes collected by the Centre is the rightful demand of the states and that of West Bengal as per the decision of the Finance Commission". "I do know because I have not spoken to him (Singhvi) whether he was aware of this constituional dimension ... that this amount (share from the Central taxes) is due to the state. I do not want to comment whether he was lying. You will have to read into what he said and what I said to make a logical conclusion." MORE
