Launching a scathing attack on the Centre, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday tore up a note outlining new MGNREGA norms at a public meeting in Cooch Behar, calling it a “valueless and insulting” diktat and said that the state would run its own work scheme without seeking “Delhi’s charity”.

Addressing a rally in Ras Mela ground in the district, Banerjee said, “Day before yesterday, we received a letter stating that starting December 6, we must submit a quarterly labour budget. They (Centre) have imposed a condition. But where is the time to show it? This is December, and the election is due early next year. Then they said training has to be provided.”

“When will you train and when will you give the jobs? This piece of paper is valueless. We will come back to power. Under Karmashree, we are giving 70 days of work. We will increase it to 100 days. We don’t want your mercy. We are not begging. That is why I am tearing the note. I feel it is disrespectful,” she added.

“Bengal has never bowed down and will never do so. Bengal knows how to walk with its head held high,” she said.

The Chief Minister also criticised the Centre and the Election Commission of India for holding the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls and urged TMC leaders to work together to help ordinary people facing difficulties during the exercise.

“The BLAs should continue their work. The party, too, must work in a united manner. When a battle arises, everyone has to stand shoulder to shoulder and fight together,” she said.

“Revise the voter list but do it in a proper manner. AFter being citizens of the country for so many years, do we have to prove our citizenship again? What could be more insulting than this,” Banerjee said.

“If the state goes into the hands of the BJP, you will not exist, you will not have any respect, you will not have an address. Bengal will become a detention camp,” she said.