Kolkata, July 10 -- The much-debated Uniform Civil Code (UCC) edged closer to implementation in Bengal on Friday, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announcing that the committee tasked with preparing its implementation framework had been constituted. He also announced that the Anti-Hooliganism Act, which has received the Governor's assent after being cleared by the Assembly, will take effect across the state from Monday.
The announcement came after the CM held a high-level administrative review meeting in Berhampore in Murshidabad.
Speaking to reporters, Adhikari said the state Cabinet has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to examine and prepare the roadmap for introducing UCC in the state.
"The UCC committee has already been formed by the Cabinet. We are hopeful that the committee will submit its report at the earliest, following which the government will introduce the UCC Bill in the Assembly," he said.
Murshidabad, in the recent past, witnessed repeated incidents of violence. The news of widespread unrest in the Belgaum area has also made its way to the national level.
The Chief Minister said the 'West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill' and the 'West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Bill' have already been passed. He also said that the situation in Murshidabad is also changing quickly. He also gave a 'free hand' to the police.
"I believe that in the next two to three months, Murshidabad district will gain new strength in development. We have told the police that there is no room for forgiveness for illegal infiltrators in the border area. Only 69 people have been allowed to cross the border so far. There are several thousand in the state. Increase communication with the BSF," he said.
Adhikari recalled the incidents of Dhulian, Shamsherganj, Beldanga. Asking the police to do their work without hindrance, he said: "There is no need to call anyone. As per the Indian Penal Code, do it now according to the training of the disciplined force that you have brought. A clear and open go has been given."
During a public rally in Rejinagar later in the day, he said health and road infrastructure in Murshidabad would be given a new thrust. Around Rs 2,500 crore would be given for stopping river erosion in the district. He also assured that 6.5 crore Ayushman Bharat cards would be distributed and those who will not be able to avail the scheme they will also be given a health coverage of Rs 5 lakh under Chief Minister Swasthya Bima. The services would be available in other states as well. Regarding Annapurna Bhandar, he said that genuine beneficiaries will not be deprived.
He said that the government has given the benefits to 1.20 crore women in the state, and the process will continue till August 30. In Murshidabad, around 12 lakh women out of 15 lakh applicants availed the benefits.
Stating that if BJP wins the bypolls in Rejinagar which will happen soon, the state government will announce a special package for Rejinagar just like it did in case of Falta. He appealed to the minority community to vote for the BJP.
"The bypolls in Rejinagar will be held in the next 30 to 45 days. We will usher in development here, with whatever demands the voters here may have as against the Hindu-Muslim politics which has been practised for so long in this region," Adhikari said.
He alleged that the previous TMC-led government stoked the fire of violence across Murshidabad in the name of protests against issues like CAA-NRC and Waqf Act. The current MLA from Rejinagar Humayun Kabir has to quit the seat as he won from two seats. Referring to Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief Humayun Kabir, an MLA who recently made certain "inflammatory" remarks, he urged to maintain peace and restrain.
"Make no mistake, I am not a weak and cowardly chief minister like Mamata Banerjee. I will not tolerate reckless comments from elected representatives. I have asked the local MLA to choose his words carefully, keeping in mind the Constitution of the country," CM said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.