Kolkata, Sept. 17 -- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday said his role was not limited to distributing allowances but to bring about reforms.
Speaking at a government programme on Annapurna Diwas, Adhikari also announced that about 1.6 crore women received Rs 3000 under Annapurna Yojana.
In his brief speech, Adhikari touched upon a range of issues, including women's empowerment, child marriage, a drug-free West Bengal and financial assistance for women. He said: "We will build a drug-free West Bengal. Everyone must come forward. At the same time, we have come to put an end to child marriage and childbirth at a young age."
On women's safety, the CM said: "The first thing we did in these four months was to set up a commission to address the atrocities committed against our mothers and sisters. We will not spare anyone if such atrocities occur. This is our commitment."
Later, at a programme marking the third anniversary of the PM Vishwakarma scheme, the CM lashed out at the previous TMC government, accusing it of depriving Bengal's traditional artisans of the benefits of central schemes.
Highlighting the state's ongoing rollout of PM Vishwakarma, Adhikari said nearly 7.7 lakh artisans had registered in Bengal earlier, while 2.2 lakh had already enrolled under the scheme.
He said the government was working to speed up verification and complete the registration process. So far, however, only a little over 3,000 artisans had received benefits.
"PM Vishwakarma, launched in 2023, covers 18 traditional trades, including carpenters, boat makers, leather and footwear artisans, barbers, garland makers, tailors and fishing-net makers. The scheme provides skill training, tool support, concessional credit and market linkages,"
he said.Adhikari alleged that central schemes, including Vishwakarma, Ayushman Bharat, PM Awas Yojana and PM Surya Ghar, had earlier not been adequately implemented in Bengal, as the state didn't enrol and DMs were asked orally not to implement central schemes. He also alleged irregularities in the preparation of job cards and said the new BJP government had given powers to panchayat-level officials to speed up implementation.
Reiterating that West Bengal is on the path of industrial growth, the Chief Minister said that within a short span of time after his government came to power, many jute mills, new business units, and factories have been opened.
Speaking to the media while attending 'Ashirvader Pradip' at Baja Kadamtala Ghat, lighting one lakh earthen lamps to mark PM's birthday, Adhikari said the state government will hand over land to 32 industries on September 23, and a new unit of Haldia Petrochemical will be inaugurated before 'Sasthi'.
The new unit of Haldia Petrochemical has come up at a cost of Rs 6,000 crore, Adhikari pointed out. He also mentioned that he will go on a tour of North Bengal on September 22.
Adhikari added that the tea workers of Bengal were now linked with the Central scheme for tea workers, as West Bengal has over Rs 300 crore which was left unused by Trinamool.
The CM said artisans without formal academic qualifications could benefit because the scheme recognises traditional skills. Union minister for MSME Jitan Ram Manjhi said West Bengal will get a technology centre that will be built at Rs 200 crore and will help increase employment. He also stressed more job creation for SC & ST.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.