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Modi to Mamata in Bengal: Trinamool Tolabaji (hafta) Tax all over the state

WION
Durgapur, West Bengal, IndiaWritten By: Pooja MehtaUpdated: Feb 02, 2019, 06:32 PM IST
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File photo. Photograph:(ANI)

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'Every child in West Bengal is aware of this TTT,' Modi said, adding that 'the chowkidar has started a cleanliness drive against this culture.' 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of foisting a tolabaji (hafta) culture all over the state. 

“Trinamool Tolabaji Tax is prevalent in the state. Every child in West Bengal is aware of this TTT. West Bengal is the only state where you have to pay tax for education. No one opposed this culture of syndicate and TTT, which is why the Trinamool Congress got a free run," Modi said.  

"But now, the BJP will oppose this. The chowkidar has started a cleanliness drive against this culture,” Modi added. 

Modi was speaking in Durgapur, where he kickstarted the BJP campaign in the state before the Lok Sabha elections. 

“People are having to pay tax to get education, find jobs and also pay syndicate tax, when the focus should have been on recruiting teachers. You don't have to fear the syndicate when you enrol in Central government schemes,” Modi added. 

Modi also took a swipe at the West Bengal government for opting out of the Ayushman scheme. 
“West Bengal could've been the largest beneficiary of Ayushman Bharat. But the local government snatched it from the poor people of Bengal," Modi said. 

"A government which betrays the poor can never benefit anyone. Those who play with the lives of the poor should be punished,” he added. 

The government's Ayushman Bharat scheme provides health insurance cover of upto Rs 5 lakh a year to each family. 

And for the second time on Saturday, the prime minister slammed the West Bengal chief minister for violence in the state. 

“The pure and austere land of Bengal won't tolerate this abuse of democracy. The party which can't respect democracy and indulges in dirty politics is bound to be thrown out. It is imperative that the TMC go." 

Modi had earlier in the day attended another public meeting organised by the All India Matua community at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district.