Author: aitc

A meeting of the booth workers of Purba Medinipur district was held today, which was chaired by Trinamool Congress Chairperson Mamata Banerjee. It was attended, among others, by all the party MLAs and panchayat-level leaders from the district.

Highlights of the chairperson’s speech:

Violence is not the culture of Bengal. People here do not support riots. The people of the state will not tolerate everything in silence. They will give the appropriate reply at the appropriate time, and make the riot-provokers leave the state.

In this very district, behind our backs, a few harmads have sold government jobs, jobs even from the district of Purulia.

In Nandigram, in the name of a new sunrise, people were once barred from leaving their homes for seven whole days. I had undertaken a 26-day fast to protest those atrocities. As long as I am alive, I will continue with my protests. I was, am and will always be with the people.

The Union government has stopped the disbursal of funds to the state for the 100 Days’ Work Scheme, the housing scheme and the construction of 12,000 km of roads. The money is not Delhi’s right to keep.

This time the Duare Sarkar camps are being held in every booth. Our government will come to every booth to ensure the people get its services.

Our party needs efficient workers for the panchayat elections. Some will get tickets, some would not. But we will stand by everybody. This is the party’s responsibility.

 

 

 

 

To protest against the Union government’s imposing of economic hardships on Bengal, stifling of democracy and the of using Central agencies to harass and intimidate opposition leaders, Mamata Banerjee sat on a two-day long sit-in protest in Kolkata. The ‘dharna’ happened in front of the statue of Ambedkar on Red Road, starting 12 pm on Wednesday, where she also have a speech.

Highlights of her speech:

The Union government is taking away the state government’s tax earnings by using GST but not giving back its share. I’ve spoken to the prime minister three times on this issue, my party’s MPs have also met him to discuss this issue.

Many non-BJP states have been forced to close down schemes, the most being in Bengal, where as many as 63 schemes have stopped.

The BJP gives the impression that it is the only honest party, that all are anti-national except it’s followers.

Despite coming first five times in the 100 Days’ Work Scheme, Bengal has stopped getting money to continue it. Rs 7,000 crore is due. Similarly, despite coming first four times in Gram Sadak Yojana, funding has been stopped. As for Bangla Awas Yojana, even after the sanctioning, no funds are coming. The BJP is adept at making promises before elections.

The Union government has still not paid for the scholarships of 23 lakh students. We have started the Medhashree Scholarship.

The BJP and CPI(M) have come together in a ‘Ram-Bam’ partnership (Ram, implying the Right, and Left). Many jobs [during the Left Front era] had been given on the basis of ‘chirkut’ (means chits, implying connections and money). I have instructed my officials to dog up all old files.

If anyone does not do as the BJP (at the Centre) says, they are threatened using the ED and CBI. They are sent at the drop of a hat.

I have met the prime minister to press for Bengal’s interests, I have given him applications. But how many times can I go? Am I your servant l, or your slave? Despite the rule for 100 Days’Work saying the money for work done has to be paid within seven days, nothing has come to us.

If the BJP government imposes economic blockade on Bengal, we will respond through a political blockade. We will protest in Delhi. If I go to Delhi, I will bring all (Opposition) parties together. If I am not allowed to enter Delhi, I will sit down in protest wherever I am stopped.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had attended a programme to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Rishi Aurobindo, where she presented the keynote address.

Highlights of her speech:

There needs to be decentralisation of judicial cases. I am announcing an allotment of Rs 45 crore for Alipore Judges’ Court from the next Budget. I am suggesting an ex gratia of Rs 50 lakh each to the families of judges who died from COVID-19.

More awareness needs to be generated on the legal cell the state government runs for those unable to pay court fees or are unaware of the processes.

I have no sympathy for those who commit crimes. But everyone who commits a crime is not a Trinamool cadre. I never look at the colour when taking action against someone guilty. But the court needs to think of those who have not committed any mistake.

You may not like me or my party. But for that, do not waste the careers of the state’s youth.

The Union and state governments run on different financial strictures. A state government cannot print money. There is only one tax now—GST, and hence the Union government fully controls the tax system.

A state government employee cannot expect DA at the same rate as a Union government employee. We have Swasthya Sathi, Lakshmi Bhandar, free schooling and free ration. We are a humane government.

I respect judges’ rulings. I am not in favour of taking away rights but in giving them. Only what is legal can be a right.

Today was the last day of campaigning for the Meghalaya Assembly elections. Mamata Banerjee addressed a crowd at the Rajabala constituency. This was her third visit to the state on account of the assembly elections.

Highlights of her speech:

Meghalaya is meant to be for the people of the state. Outsiders invoking, NRC and CAA, or coming and opening fire on its people, cannot be tolerated.

In Bengal, people of different religions live together. But still, the ED and CBI harass us regularly. The BJP thinks everyone except them are corrupt. Meghalaya cannot be run by Guwahati or Delhi. Neither would we. We will only help you.

Nobody can say when LIC or SBI will be shut down. The poor don’t get any monetary help. The supply of Ujjwala cylinders dries up as soon as elections get over. Voting is the only weapon is a democracy. Use it with prudence.

In Bengal, we have the Lakshmi Bhandar Scheme, through which women get Rs 500 – 1000 per month. Those above 60 years of age get Rs 1,000 every month. We provide free rations, free education in government schools, and scholarships SC and ST students. Does any other state provide these?

We want to go to every state in the North-east. Whenever you are in trouble, remember Bengal is by your side. I promise to help.

We will start the social service schemes which we have in Bengal, here. Always remember you need a friend. Delhi’s BJP or Congress would never be your friends. But Trinamool would be your friend for all seasons. I want the mothers and daughters of this state to progress.

Trinamool will defeat the BJP in the coming days. In 2024, it is Trinamool which will throw the BJP out of Delhi.

 

 

 

On International Mother Language Day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid her respects at the Language Memorial at Deshapriya Park in Kolkata. Besides several of her cabinet colleagues and Trinamool Congress leaders, also present at the ceremony were city Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and litterateur Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri.

The chief minister in her speech appealed for the initiation of efforts to spread the Bengali language far and wide. Here are the highlights of her speech:

The qualities of unity and harmony, the sense of fundamental rights, mental and moral developments—all of which are associated with language—and above all, the love for one’s mother tongue are the sentiments with which we remember this day. On the occasion of celebrating ‘Amar Ekushe’ (the Bengali for ‘Immortals of the 21st’, referring to the martyrs who laid down their lives in Dhaka on February 21, 1952 during the massive movement there for the right to express in Bengali, the mother tongue of the majority), let me convey my best wishes to everyone.

The more people speak in Bengali, the richer will the language get. One must be receptive of various influences.

I cannot change someone’s motherland and the associated influences. They are ingrained in the heart.

We, the Bengal government, have officially recognised Hindi and Urdu. People speaking various languages and professing different religious sentiments share space in the state. In fact, many of the non-Bengalis residing here are more Bengali than Bengalis themselves, speaking better Bengali.

So many languages together make up this country.

On this auspicious day, I am announcing our initiative of ‘Apon Bangla’ a portal which will connect people from Bengal across the world.