Kolkata, August 11: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday raised the issue of West Bengal's financial dues from the Centre during a video conference on the pandemic and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the Centre issues guidelines on which vaccine to be procured and used to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The video conference was convened by Modi for chief ministers of 10 states, including West Bengal, to discuss the situation arising out of coronavirus in the country. Also Read | Rahat Indori Dies of Heart Attack After Testing COVID-19 Positive, Renowned Poet And Lyricist Breathes His Last at Indore's Aurobindo Hospital.

"The central government has raised the FRBM limit from three per cent to five per cent but only 0.5 per cent out of the increased 2 per cent has been made unconditional. We request the central government to make the remaining 1.5 per cent unconditional too for one year," Banerjee said.

"Besides this, the state is still to receive Rs 4135 crore towards GST compensation and overall outstanding dues of Rs 53000 crore from the central government," Banerjee was quoted in a media statement issued by the West Bengal government. Also Read | Ahmedabad Man Dies by Suicide, Was Allegedly Depressed Over No Sexual Relation With His Wife.

She raised the issue of which COVID-19 vaccine or serum to be used to treat the patients and urged the Centre to issue guidelines regarding it. "Regarding the vaccine, the central government should authorise which vaccine is to be procured and used. It must issue guidelines in this regard," the statement quoted her. She also requested the Centre to provide the state with more high flow nasal canulas and ventilators.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)