Darjeeling, March 29: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday criticized the Central Government for the hike in petrol and diesel prices. Criticizing the Centre, Banerjee said, “They are raising the prices of petrol, diesel, gas and kerosene. No one loves Bengali. Forget about raising prices by creating unrest. That is their policy. Don’t eat laddu in Delhi. The laddu of Darjeeling is enough.”
Addressing a public rally here, the chief minister said that the BJP government at the Centre increased fuel prices after the party’s win in recent assembly elections in four states. Banerjee said there will be GTA elections in Darjeeling very soon. She said the BJP is making false claims about collapse in law and order in West Bengal to disrupt peace. The TMC supremo said, “The saffron party doesn’t love our state or its people. They are not concerned about the state’s development. They come before elections, make tall promises and never fulfill those.”
Referring to Ukraine, Banerjee said, “16,000 students have returned to the country from Ukraine. Let arrangements be made for them to finish their studies in the country. Let the state be allowed for this.” “Four Hundred students have also returned to Bengal. I told Delhi, give permission, we will teach them. The Center has said in Parliament recently that permission will not be given. If there is any sympathy for the students, then Ukraine returning students should allow to study in this country. I did not think what would happen after the war? I said I would not take any money. Just give permission,” she said.
“The BJP is harping on stray incidents to divert attention from core issues and also give West Bengal a bad name,” the chief minister said in reference to the political firestorm over the killing of nine people in Bogtui village in Birbhum’s Rampurhat. The chief minister inaugurated a group of projects at an administrative meeting here in Darjeeling. “I came to Kurseong 2-3 months ago. I came to Darjeeling two years later,” she said.
” Inaugurating several roads and hostels at the meeting, the Chief Minister said, ” Three lakh 70 thousand tea workers have got new homes in the hills. 21 lakh widows are being given allowances. One million students will be given student credit cards.” Talking about the project for the hills, Banerjee said, “We have created a beautiful tea project for tea gardens in the hills.”
” I will build houses for 3 lakh 60 thousand families among those who do not have houses in those tea gardens. I have started that work. When I was not in power, the tea workers got 6 rupees daily. Now it has increased to 202 rupees. If the tea garden was closed earlier, the workers would get help after 6 months. Now the workers get one and a half thousand rupees in two months. They get free electricity, water, they get health card. 35 kg ration is given per month. If no one has received the health partner card, then apply to the government at the door,” she said.
“Two and a half crore people are now getting the benefit of health card. Now there is no cost for treatment, no cost for tuition, mobile is available in class 12, Bicycles are available in Class Nine. No land has been leased in Darjeeling in the last 20 years. There were legal issues. We settled it. Those who are eligible for the lease will get it,” the chief minister added. Besides, the Chief Minister announced to build a university in the hills. Banerjee said, “There will be a hill university in the hills. Talks are being held with Jadavpur University about this.” UNI
