December 26, 2018
There is no discrimination in Bangla: Mamata Banerjee
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today inaugurated and laid the foundations for several projects in Mandirbazar, South 24 Parganas. She also distributed government benefits from the stage.
Highlights of the Chief Minister’s speech:
This is the time of pithe puli, festivals, Krishi Mela, Science fair, Subhas Mela, Vivek Mela, sports competitions, cultural functions by folk artistes
Festive season begins with Durga Puja and continues with Kali Puja, Chhath Puja, Christmas. Advance greetings to all for upcoming new year
The biggest congregation of people after Kumbh Mela, Gangasagar Mela will be held from January 10th on the occasion of Makar Sankranti
Nearly 20-30 lakh people visit Sagar Islands via waterways for the Gangasagar Mela
Few days ago a tragic incident happened here. We do not support violence. We always want peace. I condemn the incident in the strongest possible manner
We have decided to give government jobs to a member of the families which lost their near and dear ones in the tragic incident
Our government is humane. Over 50 lakh girls have received Kanyashree scholarship. I would request teachers to expedite the process of enlisting names of girls who change schools
We do not discriminate while giving Kanyashree scholarship. The income ceiling has been waived. Every girl is eligible for the scholarship
We have given scholarships to 1.78 crore minority students, the highest in the country
The Centre takes away our taxes and gives back a pittance. Crop insurance scheme for farmers – how much does the Centre pay? Rs 20 out of Rs 100. And we give Rs 80. The State Government gives 80 per cent of the cost. If we can give Rs 80, we can give the rest also, we do not need their ‘daan’. We transferred the amount to the banks and now the Centre is taking credit for it. All lies. File a defamation (suit) against me, if I am wrong.
12,000 farmers have committed suicide in other States. Some people are saying they have waived off farm loans. We are investigating whether it is true or just a sham. We have waived off mutation fees and khajna tax on agricultural land. We have given financial compensation to farmers for natural disasters
We have constructed 40 lakh houses under Banglar Abas Yojana. We provide rice at Rs 2/kg, for which we bear the subsidy.
We are procuring rice from farmers at Rs 1,750/quintal (up from Rs 1,550/kg last year). We are starting a new system – ‘dhan din, cheque nin’ (give paddy, take cheque). We are setting up more procurement centres in interior areas
We have ensured farmers receive electricity for agriculture. We have even provided electricity connection to Gangasagar via Muriganga.
Sundarbans will become a new district soon. You will no longer have to go to Diamond Harbour or Baruipur for administrative work.
We have set up new colleges, universities, SNSUs, SNCUs, number of beds have been increased.
We have set up transit hubs for pregnant women where they can give birth.
We have increased the salaries of parateachers, civic volunteers, ICDS and ASHA workers. They have been brought under Swasthya Sathi insurance scheme.
We have distributed over 1 crore Sabuj Sathi cycles to students of classes IX to XII
We have started the Rupashree scheme to help poor families with the marriage of their daughters.
We have developed Gangasagar and Bakkhali. New bridges have been set up. Roads have become better. Hospitals were in disarray. We have developed them.
We have done a lot of work, despite the huge debt burden left behind by the previous Left Front Government.
Government runs on the revenue generated from taxes paid by people. The money does not fall from the sky. You have seen governments run by the Left, Congress and the BJP (at Centre). Compare the work done by them with the volley of developmental initiatives taken by us.
I have noticed that some BJP leaders are misleading people. They are trying to drive a wedge between Hindus and Muslims. They are carrying out atrocities on Dalits, Adivasis, minorities. BJP was formed not too long ago. When was Kalighat temple established? When was Dakshineswar temple established? Was BJP in existence back then? No. Durga Puja, Rash, Nabanna, Poush Mela, Ramzan, Baradin are much older than the BJP. We do not discriminate between people in Bangla. We do not engage in politics of violence.
This is Rabindranath’s land, Nazrul’s land. Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda preached here. This is the land of Eid, Baradin, Gurdwara, Adivasis, SC/ST people, general castes, minorities, OBCs, youth and students, mothers and sisters. There is no discrimination in Bangla.
Our government was, is and will always be with the farmers
Nearly 20,000 people received direct government benefits today. An administrative review meeting will be held at Namkhana tomorrow where we will take stock of the developmental initiatives and projects.
From drinking water to tourism, roads to hospitals – a lot of work is being done. Trust us. Repose your faith on us. Only Trinamool Government works for the development of the people
Unemployment has increased due to demonetisation and GST. But in Bangla unemployment has reduced by 40%. We are providing skill development training to 12 lakh youths.
Say no to politics of division. Harmony, peace, unity. Work for people.
