1000 days at glance: Food for all

The Food and Supplies department under the West Bengal Government has been working hard for the last three years to increase the foodgrain procurement in the State as well as provide food for all. From reforming the Public Distribution System (PDS) to providing rice at nominal price to the socially and financially backward sections of the society, the Trinamool led West Bengal Government has worked for the people.

Zero-balance accounts have been opened in favour of the farmers who sell paddy to the government and government-appointed agents. They are being paid the selling price of paddy through account payee cheques.

A modern laboratory has been set up at Khadya Bhawan in Kolkata. This will ensure that rice, flour, wheat, edible oil and other food items distributed through the public distribution system (PDS) are of good quality.

Food for the poor: About 3.20 crore socially and financially backward people are being provided with rice at the rate of Rs 2 per kg. Some noteworthy regions/places whose people are getting the benefit of this initiative are:

  • Jangalmahal region (West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia)
  • Aila-affected region of the Sunderbans
  • Closed tea gardens
  • People from some endangered tribes such as Birhar, Lodha, Shabar
  • Unwilling peasants of Singur
  • Vagabonds of Kolkata
  • Seven tribal-dominated blocks in Birbhum district People from the Toto community are getting rice and wheat free of cost.

Greater procurement:

  • The quantity of rice procurement has exceeded 20.5 lakh MT during the kharif season of 2012-13, which is the highest ever in the last few couple of decades.
  • During the last-two-and-a-half years, warehouse capacity has been enhanced from 40,000 MT to 1.03 lakh MT for preservation of food grains. The work of constructing more warehouses, having a total capacity of 3 lakh MT, is going on in full swing.

New infrastructure:

  • New Khadya Bhawans have been constructed at eight places – Ghatal, Krishnanagar, Kalna, Cooch Behar, Barrackpore, Jalpaiguri, Mekhligunge and Bangaon.
  • Construction of Khadya Bhawans at 14 more places – Dinhata, Mathabhanga, Tehatta, Diamond Harbour, Barasat, Bankura, Howrah, Arambagh, Raghunathgunge, Bishnupur, Uluberia, Jhargram, Midnapore and Kashipur – is going on.
  • The proposal for construction of a 14 more Khadya Bhawans/Inspection Buildings – at Domkal, Egra, Tufangunge, Kurseong, Asansol, Contai, Burdwan, Lake Gardens (Kolkata), Mukutmanipur, Santiniketan, Meteli, Digha, Bidhannagar and at the headquarters of the Food and Supply Department in Kolkata – has been taken up.
  • In order to make the offices of the Food and Supplies Department in 115 blocks more popular, they are being modernised. Those in the rest of the blocks, which is 226, will start shortly.

Reforming the PDS:

  • The work of computerisation of PDS is going on at a cost of Rs 112 crore. Digitisation of ration cards and their entry into a database is under process. Till now, 4.35 crore digitised ration cards have been prepared. The remaining cards will be prepared by March 2014.
  • More than one crore forged and bogus ration cards have been revoked since May 2011. The government is providing a subsidy amounting to Rs 1000 crore in PDS for the benefit of poor people.
  • Non-PDS items have been made available in ration shops at fair prices for the benefit of the common people. A Retail Marketing Centre is going to be made operational in Kolkata.

Managing the distribution of foodgrains

  • To prevent smuggling of subsidised foodgrain, a transport system using vehicles having a special colour scheme has been introduced.
  • Important information relating to the distribution of foodgrains through public distribution system is being disseminated regularly to people's representatives and local inhabitants through SMS.

Trinamool Chairperson praises Bengal model of development at rallies in Bardhaman

Despite the heat wave across the state, Trinamool Chairperson Ms. Mamata Banerjee held three campaign rallies in Bardhaman at Samudragarh, Katwa and Bardhaman Town. Although the temperature was soaring over 40 degrees, the turnout in each of the rallies was incredibly large.

In her speech, the Trinamool Chairperson said though the Bengal Government has increased its income, Centre has been taking away a major share of the revenue, thus leaving little for developmental purposes. A conspiracy to starve the people of Bengal is going on, she said. She urged people to avenge this insult to Bengal through ballots.

At the rally in Bardhaman town, the party Chairperson campaigned for Dr. Mumtaz Sanghamita. She stated that Bengal has secured the top spot in terms of expenditure in employment generation for the 100-Days Work Scheme. She said that nobody in Bengal is publicizing this achievement but are praising the Gujarat-model. She pointed out that while Gujarat has spent only Rs 500 crore for 100-Days Work Scheme, West Bengal spent more than Rs 5500 crore. She also said that the income per head in Bengal is more than Gujarat and the infant mortality rate in the State is less than that of Gujarat.

The Trinamool Chairperson also laid stress on the fact that the state is debt-ridden thanks to the huge loans made by the Left Front Government. She asked voters to restore the honour of Bengal and vote for the joraphool symbol.

Trinamool Chairperson also said that she wanted to transform Bengal into Biswa Bangla. She added that a Biswa Bangla store has already opened at the Kolkata airport to promote Bengal`s products. The sweets of Bardhaman like Sitabhog and Mihidana were being sold at the store, she told the audience in Bardhaman.

চড়া রোদে ত্রাহিত্রাহি অবস্থা সেই রোদগরমে সভা বর্ধমান জেলায় বৃহস্পতিবার তৃণমূলের তিনটি জনসভাতেই তাই দলনেত্রী মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের বক্তব্যে ঘুরেফিরে এল গরম নিয়ে উদ্বেগের কথা গরমের জন্য সংক্ষেপও করলেন সভা

গরম নিয়ে উদ্বেগ প্রকাশের পরে অবশ্য কেন্দ্রীয় সরকারকে আক্রমণ ফিরে এল তৃণমূল নেত্রীর বক্তব্যে রাজ্য ক্রমে রোজগার বাড়ালেও কেন্দ্র টাকা কেটে নেওয়ার পরিমাণ বাড়াচ্ছে বলে অভিযোগ করেন তিনি তাঁর কথায়, “ওরা আমাদের ভাতে মারার চক্রান্ত করছে ওদের বার দাওয়াই দিতে হবে গণতন্ত্রের দাওয়াই!”

দিন বর্ধমান শহরে উৎসব ময়দানে দলীয় প্রার্থী মমতাজ সঙ্ঘমিতার সমর্থনে আয়োজিত সভায় মমতা প্রশ্ন তোলেন গুজরাত মডেল নিয়েও তিনি বলেন, “ বারও রাজ্য ১০০ দিনের প্রকল্পে দেশের মধ্যে প্রথম হয়েছে গত কালই এই চিঠি মিলেছে অথচ, আমাদের এই কৃতিত্বের কথা আমাদের রাজ্যেই কেউ প্রচার করে না অনেকে গুজরাতগুজরাত করছে তারা জানে না, এই প্রকল্পে গুজরাট মাত্র পাঁচশো কোটি টাকা খরচ করেছে আর আমরা করেছি পাঁচ হাজার কোটি টাকা ওই রাজ্যের চেয়ে আমাদের মাথা পিছু আয় বেশি, শিশুমৃত্যুর হার কম তবু লোকে গুজরাত নিয়ে লাফালাফি করে!”

সভায় বাম আমলের রেখে যাওয়ার ঋণ নিয়েও অভিযোগ তোলেন তিনি তাঁর দাবি, “ বারের ভোটে বাংলার ইজ্জতের নির্বাচন দিল্লিতে গিয়ে বলতে হবে, সিপিএম অত টাকা ধার করে গিয়েছে তো সিপিএমের বাড়ি বিক্রি করে ধার শোধ করাও আমাদের টাকা কাটতে পারবে না! আমাকে আপনাদের একটু সাহায্য করতে হবে এমন করে বোতাম টিপুন যেন জোড়াফুল সব জায়গায় জেতে বোতাম টিপুন এখানে, দিল্লি জব্দ হবে ওখানে

মমতা দিন আরও বলেন, “বাংলাকে বিশ্বের দরবারে প্রতিষ্ঠা করতে চাই তাই কলকাতা এয়ারপোর্টে বিশ্ববাংলা নামে সংস্থা খুলেছি তাতে যেমন তাঁতিদের হাতের কাজ রয়েছে, তেমনি রয়েছে বর্ধমানের সীতাভোগ, মিহিদানা থেকে অন্য বিখ্যাত মিষ্টি অনেকে চোখে দেখেও অনেক কিছু দেখতে পান না তাঁদের চোখে যাতে পড়ে, তাই আমরা এই কাজ করছি

80% turnout in the second phase of Lok Sabha election in Bengal

The second phase of the 16th Lok Sabha election in six constituencies of West Bengal – Balurghat, Raiganj, Maldah Uttar, Maldaha Dakshin, Jangipur and Murshidabad was held peacefully. The polling started at 7 AM in the morning and continued till 6 PM in the evening. Long queues were observed at various booths as people turned up to exercise their democratic franchise.

After the polling ended for the day, Secretary General of Trinamool Congress addressed the press. He said, “Apart from a few stray incidents, polling has been peaceful in Bengal today. People have exercised their franchise in a free and fearless manner. We thank the people of Bengal for casting their vote despite the scorching heat. We will continue to project the developmental work by the Ma, Mati, Manush Government led by Ms. Mamata Banerjee in the coming days.”

The polling percentages in the six constituencies at 5 PM are as follows:

Raiganj: 79.78%

Balurghat: 82.16%

Maldaha Uttar: 80.6%

Maldaha Dakshin: 80.16%

Jangipur: 76.9%

Murshidabad: 82.24%

Bengal No. 1 in expenditure on employment generation under 100-Days Work Scheme

West Bengal has secured the No. 1 position in India in terms of expenditure on employment generation under 100-Days Work Scheme. This data was reported by the Union Ministry of Rural Development on their website on April 23, 2014.

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee wrote on her Facebook page:

“West Bengal is now the No. 1 state in the country in terms of expenditure on employment generation under 100-Days Work Scheme. This was reported by Union Ministry of Rural Development on their website on April 23, 2014.

The state has achieved expenditure of more than Rs. 5521 Cr for the year 2013-14 which is the highest in the country. Out of this expenditure Rs 1815 Cr is payment due liability and not received from the Government of India.

This performance proves itself that the state has changed for betterment and development of its people.”
 

State-wise comparison of Expenditure for employment generation for 2013-14

WB CM showcases high growth in State Plan Expenditure

Bengal`s total State Plan Expenditure has witnessed a huge growth of 35% – an increase from Rs.18994 crore in 2012-13 to Rs.25632 crore in 2013-14.

This is the highest-ever plan expenditure in the state, even surpassing the Government`s very own performance of last year, and also in spite of all the financial adversities thrust upon us, by the previous Left Front Government.

Capital expenditure as per the Budget provisions in Bengal has increased by a phenomenal 48% – up from Rs. 4547 crore in 2012-13 to Rs.6751 crore in 2013-14.

This has resulted in significant physical asset creation during the tenure of Trinamool Congress – construction of more roads, bridges and flyovers, more schools, colleges and universities, more drinking water, more power plants, more hospitals, more marketing hubs, more skill development centres, ITIs, polytechnics etc. across the state.

Besides physical assets, 63 Departments of the State Government have worked hard to usher in more and more development of social infrastructure for the people of Bengal including the minority communities, SC, ST, Backward Classes and others by optimum utilization of the Plan Funds.

বিরোধীদের আক্রমণের মোকাবিলায় বার তাঁর সরকারের আর্থিক বুনিয়াদকে প্রচারে তুলে আনলেন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায় বাংলায় দ্বিতীয় দফার ভোটের প্রাক্কালে বুধবার ফেসবুকে মুখ্যমন্ত্রী জানিয়েছেন, রাজ্যে পরিকল্পনা খাতে টাকা খরচের হার এক বছরে ৩৫% বেড়েছে এটাই রাজ্যে পরিকল্পনা খাতে বৃহত্তম অর্থ খরচের নজির বলে মুখ্যমন্ত্রীর দাবি

ফেসবুকে মুখ্যমন্ত্রীর দেওয়া তথ্য বলছে, ২০১২১৩ আর্থিক বছরে পরিকল্পনা খাতে যেখানে ১৮ হাজার ৯৯৪ কোটি টাকা খরচ হয়েছিল, সেখানে ২০১৩১৪` সেই পরিমাণ বেড়ে দাঁড়িয়েছে ২৫ হাজার ৬৩২ কোটি টাকা ক্ষেত্রে তৃণমূল সরকার নিজেদেরই রেকর্ড অতিক্রম করে গিয়েছে বলে মুখ্যমন্ত্রীর দাবি বাম জমানার রেখে যাওয়া আর্থিক দায়ভার সামলে এই কৃতিত্ব যথেষ্ট উৎসাহজনক বলেই মুখ্যমন্ত্রী বোঝাতে চেয়েছেন বাজেট বরাদ্দের নিরিখে মূলধনী ব্যয়ও ৪৮% বেড়েছে ওই এক বছরে জানিয়েছেন মুখ্যমন্ত্রীই

গত পঞ্চায়েত কয়েকটি উপনির্বাচনের মতো বার লোকসভা ভোটেও উন্নয়নের খতিয়ান নিয়ে আসরে নেমেছিল তৃণমূল সরকার রাজ্যের আর্থিক সুস্বাস্থ্যের তথ্য পেশ করে `ইতিবাচক` প্রচারের সুর বাঁধতে চাইলেন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী তৃণমূলের জাতীয় মুখপাত্র ডেরেক `ব্রায়েন টুইট করেছেন, “বাংলা এখন তৃণমূলের আশাবাদের কাহিনি এবং বামসহ বিরোধীদের নেতিবাচক কাহিনির লড়াই দেখছে! আমাদের বিরোধীরা মরিয়া হয়ে উঠেছে!” আর্থিক বিষয় নিয়ে ইতিমধ্যে মুখ্যমন্ত্রীর নির্দেশে কেন্দ্রীয় সরকারকেও তুলোধোনা করেছেন রাজ্যের অর্থমন্ত্রী অমিত মিত্র

মমতার সরকারের বিরুদ্ধে পরিকল্পনা বহির্ভূত ব্যয় নিয়েই বারংবার সরব হয়েছে বিরোধীরা মুখ্যমন্ত্রী তাই পরিকল্পনা খাতে খরচ দেখিয়েই তার পাল্টা বক্তব্য তুলে ধরতে চেয়েছেন

মুখ্যমন্ত্রী ফেসবুকে দাবি করেছেন, তাঁর সরকার আর্থিক শৃঙ্খলা ফিরিয়ে আনতে পেরেছে বলেই রাস্তা, সেতু, উড়ালপুল, স্কুলকলেজহাসপাতাল, পানীয় জলের মতো পরিকাঠামো বেশি বেশি করে তৈরি হয়েছে

তার পাশাপাশি, রাজ্যের ৬৩টি দফতর সংখ্যালঘু, তফসিলি জাতি উপজাতি এবং ওবিসিসহ সব অংশের মানুষের সামাজিক মানোন্নয়নে বিস্তর পরিশ্রম করেছে

Second phase of Lok Sabha polls in Bengal: Six Trinamool candidates in the fray

The second phase of the Lok Sabha poll in the state is underway in Raiganj, Balurghat, Maldah Uttar, Maldah Dakshin, Jangipur and Murshidabad parliamentary constituencies.

Star campaigners like Trinamool Chairperson Ms. Mamata Banerjee, actors Mithun Chakraborty and Dev, have all visited the region turning the contest into a high voltage affair.

Trinamool has fielded candidates in all six Lok Sabha seats. The Trinamool candidate for Raiganj is Satyaranjan Dasmunshi. Theatre artist Arpita Ghosh is the candidate for Balurghat while the founder of music band Bhoomi, Soumitra Roy is the candidate for Maldah Uttar. Dr Moazzem Hossain is the candidate for Maldah Dakshin constituency.

Social worker Haji Nurul Islam, who was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha from Basirhat, is the candidate in Jangipur while educationist Mohammed Ali is the candidate in Murshidabad constituency.

Trinamool Chairperson has campaigned herself in all these seats more than once.

Here are the details of Trinamool candidates for the Lok Sabha polls:


Candidate for Raiganj


Candidate for Balurghat


Candidate for Maldah Uttar


Candidate for Maldah Dakshin


Candidate for Jangipur


Candidate for Murshidabad

People will give a fitting reply to Opposition`s malicious campaign regarding Saradha scam: Didi at Narayangarh

Trinamool Chairperson addressed a rally at Narayangarh in Paschim Medinipur district in support of the party candidate Sandhya Roy. She reiterated that the Opposition was indulging in malicious campaigns against the Government. The smear campaign in Saradha chit fund scam was politically motivated, she added. The Chairperson furnished proofs from the dais to show that the Left Front and a section of the media benefited from Saradha money.

Excerpts from the Chairperson`s speech:

 

I am honoured that you all have come to this rally despite the heat wave. The temperature is over 42 degrees but still we are campaigning because elections fall in summer season. The Left used to rule by terrorising people in this region. Medinipur was a hub of violence once. After we came to power, we have started many developmental projects.

IT parks, industry hubs are coming up in Medinipur. We are setting up Krishak Bazars. 6 new hospitals are coming up in Medinipur. CPI(M)-Congress-BJP have formed a nexus this time. They want to capture Medinipur by using violence. Do not bring back the Left in Medinipur. Vote for peace and progress.

We want Medinipur to become the number one district. The Opposition is engaging in malicious campaigns. Do not believe them. Earlier 500-600 people used to be killed in Jangalmahal on an average. Now the figure is 0. Political killings have come down drastically in Bengal.

They can change any number of SP or DMs. They cannot beat us. We don`t rig polls. People vote for us. But the Left used scientific rigging methods to win. Left has lost their ground in Bengal. So their workers are working for BJP and Congress in Bengal now. We will not allow match-fixing. We want free and fair polls.

We are setting up 9 new government colleges in Medinipur. We have started fair price medicine shops. We are giving free medicines to the rural poor. Jangalmahal is smiling. People can lead their lives free from fear now. CBI has failed to deliver justice to the victims of Gyaneshwari Express accident or Netai and Nandigram massacres. BJP and Congress are spending crores on ad campaigns. People of India cannot afford two square meals.

Who allowed chit funds in Bengal? Who was in power 30 years ago? We have given back money to 4 lakh investors of Saradha scam. Another 2 lakh will get their money back. We have drafted a Bill to combat chit funds. Central Govt has not yet given their assent. The Left mouthpiece thrived on the money it got from Saradha ads. How can they accuse us? Even a media house that supports CPI(M) got ads from Saradha. Now they are raising fingers at us.

We do not run our party with money from chit funds. We got Sudipta Sen arrested from Kashmir. We even got our own MP arrested. Law will take its own course. Who was in power in the State during Sanchayita scam? How many people got their money back? Who was the CM of Bengal when Saradha was founded in 2006?

I have furnished proof of how the Left benefited from chit funds. Can they show any proof against us. People will never forgive the Left for their malicious campaigns against us. I work for the people. They are the ultimate judge of our performance. Catch me if you can as i carry on with development.

We have done a lot of work for PTTI parateachers, self-help groups, and minorities. We have distributed 2 lakh land pattas, distributed 28 lakh Kisan credit cards. We have started schemes like Kanyashree and Yuvashree for the benefit of girls and the youth.

Voting for CPI(M) means destroying Bengal. Voting for Congress means selling off India. Voting for BJP means supporting riots. The higher the number of Trinamool MPs from Bengal, the stronger will our voice at Centre be. We will not beg for alms from Centre. They will have to fall at our feet to form the next Govt. The Centre is taking away all our revenues, yet we have set up 8 new universities and 45 new colleges.

Time has come for the youth to take the pledge to transform Bengal. The youth must come forward to transform Bengal into the best State in India. Women are our assets. To encourage girls to pursue higher education we have started Kanyashree scheme. One lakh unemployed youth will get allowance under Yuvashree scheme. When they get jobs, another one lakh will be registered.

If the Centre gives us debt moratorium for one a half years, we can create 10 lakh new job opportunities. The CPI(M) filled its party funds with public money meant for development. They have ruined Bengal. We belong to a humble background and understand the pain of common people. That is why the Opposition is jealous.

We believe in communal harmony. We go to temples, mosques, church as well as gurdwara. People will give a fitting reply to the Opposition`s malicious campaigns, the neglect of the Centre. I am ready to sacrifice my life for the people.

I wish you all Shubho Noboborsho. Stay well. Stay healthy. Vote for Trinamool. Vote for joraphool.

1000 days at a glance: Drinking water for all

Drinking water has been a priority of the West Bengal Government after coming to power. The Government developed a Vision 2020 document for projects regarding the supply of drinking water in rural areas on a short term and long term basis, of approximately Rs 1295 crore and Rs 21,125 crore, respectively.

Rs 5640 crore has been sanctioned for 383 rural pipelined water supply projects as part of this `vision`. As a result, 1.1 crore villagers, specially those from the drought-prone areas of Bankura and Purulia, and from the brackish-water and arsenic-prone areas of North and South 24 Parganas, will be benefited.

Number of people benefited due to the projects undertaken: During the regime of the new government, 416 rural pipelined water supply projects and 54,935 tube wells at an expense of Rs 1777 crore, have been made operational. As a result, 37.07 lakh people have been benefited.

Arsenic-free drinking water: 130.58 villagers (till 31.12.2013), which is almost 78.40% of the total population in arsenic-prone areas in different blocks, are being supplied arsenic-free water through different methods. In terms of the present master plan, this implies 96% implementation.

Fluoride-free drinking water: Proper measures are being taken to supply fluoride-free drinking water to 43 fluoride-prone blocks in the districts of m, Bankura, South Dinajpur, North Dinajpur, Purulia, Malda and South 24 Parganas at a cost of approximately Rs 1580 crore.

Utilisation of solar energy in water projects: This is the first time in West Bengal when the utilisation of solar energy in water supply projects has been implemented.

704 water supply projects depending on solar energy in the drought-prone Bankura, West Midnapore and Purulia districts have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 51.67 crore. A total of three pilot projects, in three districts, have been implemented.

Projects in the Jangalmahal region: Fifty pipelined water supply projects at a cost of about Rs 141.70 crore have been sanctioned for the benefit of 3.77 lakh people (on the basis of Census 2011) in the Jangalmahal region. Forty-seven projects have already been implemented.

Water supply to New Town in Kolkata and adjacent municipal and rural areas: Building of reservoirs and supply infrastructure for supplying 100 million gallons per day (MGD) of pure water to New Town, Naba Diganto, Bidhannagar and South Dum Dum Municipalities, and to Haroa, Rajarhat and Bhangar and adjacent areas, at a cost of about Rs 348.37 crore have been sanctioned at the initiative of the departments of Public Health Engineering and Urban Development.

Habra-Gaighata arsenic-free water project: A surface water-project named `Habra-Gaighata` has been undertaken at a cost of about Rs 578.94 crore for the extensive arsenic-prone areas of North 24 Parganas district. As a result, 18.04 lakh people will be benefited.

Bankura district water project (first phase): River and surface water-based pipelined water supply project at a cost of about Rs 1011.12 crore for Bankura district (first phase) through Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) is going on. As a result, 30.15 lakh people will be benefited. The work is almost 50% completed.

Purulia district water project (with the financial assistance of Japan): A drinking water supply project across nine blocks in Purulia district at a cost of Rs 1173.10 crore with the financial assistance of JICA (Japan) has been undertaken. As a result, 29.10 lakh people will be benefited.

`Kulpi and adjacent area` mega water project: A mega surface water-based pipelined water supply project named `Kulpi and adjacent area` project at a cost of Rs 1332.41 crore in the brackish-water areas of South 24 Parganas, has been undertaken. 32.89 lakh people of nine blocks would be benefited from this project.

Automatic drinking water pouch machine to combat drought and flood: Fourteen mobile water purification units, including automatic drinking water pouch machines, have been made operational for the sake of distressed people during floods and droughts all across the state.

`Prandhara` – bottled pure drinking water: Eight drinking water bottling plants have been set up in various parts of the state. The bottled water, under the brand name of Prandhara, is being supplied to people in a unique manner.

Training given by the department of Public Health Engineering: More than 10,000 newly elected panchayat members, health workers, anganwadi workers and other related people across eight districts have been trained.


Click here to read the full list of achievements.

We do not need money from illegal sources to run our party: Didi at Serampore

Trinamool Chairperson Ms. Mamata Banerjee today campaigned in Serampore in support of Kalyan Bandyopadhyay, who is also the sitting MP from the same constituency. In her speech she took on the Opposition for trying to smear Trinamool`s image with allegations of chit fund connection and produced documents to show how the Left benefited from Saradha.

Excerpts from the Chairperson`s speech:

Despite of the tremendous heat, I have been campaigning for the last one month. This campaign will continue till May 10. I wish those who decide the dates of election understood the pain of common people during summer. In 1998, after founding Trinamool, we won 7 Lok Sabha seats. Serampore was one of them. Serampore is like our mother who gave birth to our party. We are honoured and delighted for being blessed with your support since 1998. We are thankful to you for your blessings. I urge you to bless us with your votes on 30th April.

Our candidate Kalyan Banerjee is a renowned advocate. He has fought vociferously for the rights of the poor. All our candidates in Hooghly district are good. Our other candidates here are Aparupa Poddar in Arambagh and Ratna De in Hooghly. They will definitely work for people. This is the first time elections are being held over two months.

CPI(M) destroyed Bengal for 34 years. Now the Centre is depriving us of funds. We are toiling hard on the ground for the sake of the people while the Opposition only criticizing us in TV studios. They can control the media with money power but they cannot buy people.

All through my life, I have protested against injustice. I am committed to working for the people. Opposition should not think our silence is our weakness. Whenever they criticize me I become certain that I am moving in the right direction. The more the media criticizes, the more our resolve increases. This is the same media which praised Buddhadeb babu for killing people in Nandigram, taking away land in Singur. People gave a fitting reply to the paid news in media during Panchayat polls.

Centre increased the prices of cooking gas, fuel, fertilizers. FDI in retail has been introduced. Why was the media silent?

When did chit funds start in Bengal? In the 1980s. Who was in power then? CPI(M). Who was the CM when Sanchayita scam happened? When was Saradha founded? Who was the CM of Bengal then? Was the CM sleeping then? States are not empowered to act against chit funds. Why is the Centre sitting on our anti chit fund Bill that has been sent for approval several months ago? What was Chidambaram ji doing till now? Why is he hyper-active just before elections?

Centre has turned arrogant because of money power. Trinamool does not need money from illegal sources to run the party. Why did the Left mouthpiece take money from Saradha for ads?

Centre is taking away all our revenues. Yet we are making our ends meet and working for the people. Countless incidents of violence against women happened during the Left regime. I still shudder from the memories. We can never forget the horrible crimes committed by the Left during their 34 year rule. The Left killed people and disposed off the bodies. Families of victims are still waiting for their loved ones to come back.

We have introduced Kanyashree scheme to encourage girls to pursue higher education. We have already registered 11 lakh girls under this scheme. Our target is to cover 16 lakh girls. We have started the Yuvashree scheme. One lakh youth can register their names in the Employment Bank. When they get jobs, another one lakh will be registered. Five hundred  marketing hubs are being set up in the state to generate at least 5 lakh employment opportunities.

We have given Kisan Credit Cards to around 28 lakh farmers. We gave pattas to 2 lakh people in two and half years.  57 lakh minority community students received scholarships. During teacher recruitment, 10% of those recruited will be parateachers. We have started reservation for backward classes and minorities without touching General category seats. We are setting up ITIs in every block. Polytechnics are coming up in every sub-division.

We have already built 8 new universities. The CPI(M) set up only 3 during their tenure. We have constructed 31 government colleges in two and half years. We have started fair price medicine shops where people get medicines at discounted rates. We have started fair price diagnostic centres. Why did the Opposition not come up with such ideas?

We have introduced measures to make sure farmers get the deserving price for their products. We are taking up a new project to connect North Bengal with South Bengal. As Railway Minister, I have done a lot of work for Hooghly district. After coming to power, we increased our revenues manifold. But Centre is taking away a major portion of our money. Had Centre not taken away all our money, we could have generated employment for another 20 lakh people.

Political killings have decreased in the State. Jangalmahal is smiling now. Darjeeling is smiling. The Opposition is jealous. That is why they engage in malicious campaign against us. CPI(M)-Congress-BJP have formed an unholy nexus. We are not fighting alone. You are our strength. You are our true allies. We have the support of the people. We are fighting with dignity; our heads are held high.

We do not want alms. We want our right. The Centre should stop neglecting Bengal. We have to snatch away our right from them. The youth of Bengal must come forward to take the Bengal forward. We want the fight to be political. We do not indulge in malicious campaigns.

For the sake of progress and development of Bengal, vote for Trinamool.

Chit funds flourished in Bengal when Left was in power: Trinamool Chairperson at Jairambati

Trinamool Chairperson Ms. Mamata Banerjee began her campaigning for the third phase of polls today. She kicked off her campaign trail from Jairambati under Bishnupur constituency. She attacked the Opposition for their doublespeak on chit funds. She accused the CPI(M) of helping chit funds spread their base in the State and showed proofs of ads from chit fund companies in Left mouthpiece. She reiterated that Trinamool is the only party in Bengal that works for the people.

Excerpts from the Chairperson`s speech:

I welcome you all and thank you for being here in such large numbers despite the heat wave. 

 

I have been travelling across the State for the last one month campaigning for my party. I have been travelling from North to South Bengal. The Opposition only sits in TV studios and criticizes us while I am travelling in spite of the heat. We believe in working on the ground with the people.

I still remember the day in 1998 when CPI(M) slaughtered people in Jairambati. The people of these areas suffered a lot due to the tyranny of CPI(M). People lived in extreme fear earlier. The Left spared no one. The leaders used to live in luxury while people lived in abject poverty. Peace has been restored now in these places.

 

As Railway Minister, I have started new rail routes in this region. When I left the post of Railway Minister, the Congress stopped the projects initiated by me. We have begun the process of building a road, which will be a substitute of National Highway. The highway project worth Rs 3500 crore will stretch from Bankura to Maldah spanning several districts and will be ready by 2015. We will connect North and South Bengal.

 

Several people are still missing in Bengal. They are all victims of Left terror. Their bodies have been disposed off. The Left has no shame. How can they criticize us, after what they have done for the last 34 years? The BJP has a section of the media by their side. Paid propaganda will not help them. Even the Congress is connected with them. They tried the trick of paid news during Panchayat polls too. But they failed.

 

Chit funds were created in Bengal during Left rule. People remember how Sanchayita duped people. Saradha was created when Buddhadeb babu was CM and Ashim Dasgupta was the Finance Minister. Why did the Left mouthpiece publish ads of Saradha? We never needed any such money for Jago Bangla. They are a party of thieves. If I open my mouth, I will expose them all – CPI(M), BJP, Congress. I am being patient. Law is equal for everyone. It cannot be selectively used against some people.

Why did the Left not act against Saradha between 2006 and 2011? We got complaints in 2012 and acted fast. We arrested Sudipta Sen from Kashmir. We arrested our own MP. I reiterate, never keep your savings with Chit Funds. Also, beware of the new gold schemes, be very careful. Those who glorify chit funds should also be punished.

 

The Central Government has been sitting on the anti chit fund Bill sent by us. Why are they delaying it? Why is the ED so hyper-active just before elections? What is the connection of P Chidambaram with Saradha? Why is it not being probed? The Opposition is carrying out false, malicious campaign against us. We have reimbursed the duped investors of Saradha. It was not our responsibility but we did it in spite of the Centre taking all our money. Those in Government back then who helped chit fund companies spread their base must be punished by law.

 

Opposition must remember, if you spit at the sky, it falls back on your face. They are so jobless that they are filing false complaints against us. The newly formed camaraderie between CPI(M), Congress and BJP is opportunistic. The Opposition is getting restless because people are living in peace.

 

We have set up 8 universities in two and a half years. The Left set up only 3 in 34 years. We are setting up 45 colleges. The Left distributed only 12000 land pattas in 2009-10. We distributed 2 lakh pattas in two and half years. We have taken up a scheme to provide a home to every single person of the state through Nijo Bhumi Nijo Griho scheme. The BJP spreads communal tension as soon as the polls approach and Congress has destroyed India in the last 66 years.

 

Women are the asset of the nation. We have taken many initiatives to empower them. The Kanyashree scheme will give financial assistance to school girls to pursue education. We have distributed 57 lakh scholarships to minority students. We have given due recognition to Urdu language. We have handed over Sister Nivedita`s house in Darjeeling to Ramakrishna Mission. Our dream is to transform Bengal into Biswa Bangla.

 

For industrialization, we have to first create the infrastructure. It takes time. We inherited a huge debt of Rs 2 lakh crore from the Left. Yet we are working for the people. Despite being financially deprived by the Centre, we have not stopped any services. Bengal secured the first place in 100-days job scheme. Bankura was the best district all over India. In Tamil Nadu, Andhra, the number of man-days created decreased. But we have increased the man-days created.

 

 I have no family. People are my family. Youth of Bengal are my inspiration. I want to work for them so that the future of the State is secured. I chant Sanskrit shlokas as well as read the Quran. I believe in communal harmony.

The Left filled their party coffers at the expense of the people of Bengal. Do not give them a single vote. The more number of MPs we send from Bengal, the stronger will be our voice at the Centre. Bengal will never bow its head before the Centre. We will not beg for alms. To ensure that Bengal gets back her honour at Centre, vote for Trinamool.

The got-up match between Congress-BJP-CPI(M) should end. Don`t allow these fixed matches to go on.