Latest news with #LakshmirBhandar
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
TMC slams BJP over ‘sindoor-selling' remark
1 2 Kolkata: TMC targeted BJP 's state leadership on Monday over alleged derogatory remarks about women and the freezing of central funds. The criticism came at a press conference after leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari's comments about sindoor and bangles at a Sandeshkhali rally on Sunday. "Yesterday, Adhikari spoke about Lakshmir Bhandar and said that women shouldn't sell their sindoor and bangles at Rs 500-1,000," said state minister Shashi Panja. "Lakshmir Bhandar is a universal scheme for each and every woman of Bengal, unlike the exclusionary schemes in BJP-governed states," she added and went on to say: "They (BJP) are in office in a lot of states. Why doesn't Adhikari ask those govts to extend benefits and give Rs 3,000 to every woman?" The netas slammed other BJP seniors' misogynist comments, including remarks of Union minister Sukanta Majumdar and former state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh about CM Mamata Banerjee. On central funds, MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar said: "Over Rs 1.75 lakh crore of Bengal's funds have been wilfully blocked by Centre." Netas also spoke of BJP's "manipulation" in the Sandeshkhali incident. "They cheated the women of Sandeshkhali by making them sign on blank papers, using those later to file fake complaints," Panja claimed. tnn
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
West Bengal BJP holds rally over TMC leader's ‘vile' remarks on women
The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a Nari Samman Yatra on Monday (June 9, 2025) to protest derogatory remarks made by Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal directed at the wife and mother of the Officer-in-Charge of Bolpur Police Station. The Trinamool Congress let the Birbhum strongman off with an apology, but the police have registered an FIR. The BJP, to register their protest, organised a major procession in Bolpur, which was led by Suvendu Adhikari. Speaking at a meeting in Bolpur, Mr. Adhikari said that the mother and wife who were insulted represent the honour of all women in the State. 'Anubarta (Mondal) used this language against the Officer-in-Charge, directing it at his wife and mother. Can someone utter such language? Had Yogi Adityanath been the Chief Minister he would have been in prison,' Mr. Adhikari said at the rally. Anubrata Mondal appeared before the police on June 5, several days after an FIR was registered against him at Bolpur Police station. The FIR was in connection with an audio where Mr. Mondal is heard abusing and threatening the police officer using vile language not only against him but also towards his wife and mother. Referring to the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, the BJP leader claimed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee could not understand the pain of another woman and offered ₹10 lakh to the parents of the victim, which they refused. It is now 10 months since the gruesome rape and murder, and a crowd had gathered outside Tala Police Station in Kolkata, under whose jurisdiction the crime was reported on August 9, 2024. OBC Yatra Mr. Adhikari announced that after the Nari Samman Yatra, the BJP leadership in the State is planning to organise a OBC Adhikaar Yatra. On Sunday the BJP leader held a protest rally at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas. Women leaders of Trinamool, including Minister Sashi Panja, and MP Kakuli Ghosh Dastidar, held a press conference in Kolkata and said that the BJP has no right to speak of honour and respect for women. 'Women cannot take any more insults from the BJP. Yesterday, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, while speaking at Sandeshkhali, said that women should not sell their shankha-sindoor for ₹500–1,000 for the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.' Lakshmir Bhandar is a cash incentive scheme of the West Bengal government that was launched in February 2021, under which ₹1,200 per month is given to women in reserved categories, and ₹1,000 to women from the general category. 'Lakshmir Bhandar is not a handout. It is the lifeline of Bengal's women. And as long as Smt. @MamataOfficial is at the helm, no force can snatch that away. Insulting Bengal's women will cost you dearly,' the Trinamool Congress said in a statement on social media.'
India Today
31-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Mamata Banerjee rebuts PM Modi's Alipurduar remarks, highlights initiatives
In a pointed response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent rally in Alipurduar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vehemently rejected the allegations of underdevelopment in the region.'Yesterday a vicious and false campaign was there at Alipurduar in North Bengal from a self-serving and politically motivated point of view for narrow power gains. This was a campaign that attempted to downplay and erase out the significant development works of our government for the people in Alipurduar district,' Banerjee wrote on blatant untruths were served from the high quarters of the Hon'ble Prime Minister. Therefore, I want to share some facts and data relating to our actual impactful initiatives for the people of Alipurduar,' the post further read. Addressing the claims as part of a "vicious and false campaign," Banerjee presented a comprehensive overview of the state's developmental efforts in Chief Minister began by emphasising the establishment of Alipurduar as the 20th district of West Bengal in June 2014, aimed at enhancing administrative highlighted that, since its formation, the district has witnessed substantial progress across various sectors, ensuring that every resident has benefited from at least one state government Bengal CM also added that in terms of infrastructure, the state government has made significant strides. Notable projects include the 'Dooars Kanya' integrated administrative building, a multi-speciality hospital in Falakata, an AYUSH hospital, a nursing school and numerous wellness the educational landscape has also been bolstered with the establishment of Alipurduar University, a government engineering college, and several new schools and student welfare initiatives have played a pivotal role in uplifting the community. Over Rs 1,200 crore has been disbursed through various programs, benefiting lakhs of individuals. Programs like Lakshmir Bhandar, Kanyashree, Khadyasathi, and Swasthya Sathi have had a transformative impact on the lives of the people in Banerjee concluded by reiterating the state's dedication to the holistic development of Alipurduar. She emphasised that the government's focus remains on the welfare of the people, irrespective of their religion, race, or caste and reaffirmed the commitment to continuous development in the Watch
India Gazette
30-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Politically motivated, vicious and false campaign for narrow power gains": Bengal CM criticises PM Modi's Bengal visit
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], May 31 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mama Banerjee on Friday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bengal, saying that 'a vicious and false campaign' was taken out at Alipurduar district in North Bengal with politically motivated intentions aimed at 'narrow power gains.' Hitting out at PM Modi in a post on X, Bengal CM said that 'blatant untruths' were told by the PM, and proceeded to share some facts and data relating to the 'actual impactful initiatives' for the people of the district. 'A vicious and false campaign was there at Alipurduar in North Bengal from a self-serving and politically motivated point of view for narrow power gains. This was a campaign that attempted to downplay and erase the significant development works of our government for the people in the Alipurduar district. The blatant untruths were served from the high quarters of the Hon'ble Prime Minister,' the Bengal CM's post read. CM Banerjee highlighted various initiatives in sectors of healthcare, education, and public amenities, including the development of the model integrated administrative building 'Dooars Kanya.' 'We've established a Multi Super Speciality Hospital in Falakata, an Ayush Hospital, a Nursing School, 2 SNCUs, 7 SNSUs, 3 Blood Banks, and 207 Wellness Centres. Established Alipurduar University, a Government Engineering College, 7 new government colleges, 15 primary schools, 52 upper primary schools, and 15 student hostels. Public amenities includes 6 Kishanmandis, 3 Sufal Bangla stalls, 8 Karmatirthas, 560 Anganwadi centers, 8 electric substations, a new Falakata Super Market, a new Stadium, a Women's Police Station, and 60 operational Bangla Sahayata Kendras (Citizen Service Centres),' the post read. She further highlighted various social security schemes, which have benefited lakhs of people in the state. Underlining the schemes, she said that over Rs 1,200 crore have been disbursed through various programs, including the Lakshmir Bhandar, Kanyashree, Khadyasathi, Sabuj Sathi, Binamulye Samajik Suraksha Yojana, Bangla Shasya Bima, Joy Johar Pension and more. Talking about development projects, she said, 'Under the Jalswapna project, 2.11 lakh out of 3.65 lakh households now have drinking water connections. The Banglar Bari scheme has provided Rs546.13 crore to 45,511 families for housing.' Apart from these schemes, she also highlighted the work done for connectivity, tea garden and worker welfare, tourism development, and initiatives for the Rajbanshi and Kamtapuri communities. Meanwhile, during his Bengal visit, Prime Minister Modi took aim at the Trinamool Congress government, alleging that West Bengal is facing multiple crises. 'First is the crisis of violence and anarchy spreading in the society. Second is the unsafety of our mothers and sisters who are being subjected to heinous crimes. The third crisis is of extreme despair and rampant unemployment spreading among the youth. The fourth crisis is the continuously declining trust in the system. The fifth crisis is of the selfish politics of the ruling party, which steals the rights of the poor,' he said. Earlier today, PM Modi also laid foundation stone for the City Gas Distribution project in the Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts of West Bengal. (ANI)
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bengal CM Mamata disburses second tranche of Banglar Bari to 12 lakh beneficiaries
Emphasising her track record of fulfilling promises, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday (May 20, 2025) announced that 12 lakh beneficiaries have received the second instalment of Banglar Bari — a scheme aimed at providing houses to the rural poor. 'We had given 50% of the funds earlier promising that the remaining will be disbursed in May. Today, we have completed it. If we make promises, we keep them too,' the Chief Minister said. Also read: Howrah subsidence victims to receive new houses, landfill to be shifted elsewhere Ms. Banerjee had announced the Banglar Bari scheme in December 2024 after the disbursement of funds under the PM Awaas Yojana to the State was halted. 'The remaining 16 lakh beneficiaries from the list will get (the instalment) of the first phase in December whereas the second phase will commence in May 2026. In total, 28 lakh beneficiaries will be getting benefits of the scheme,' she said. Support for tea garden workers Speaking at a public event in North Bengal, the Chief Minister said her government stood firmly with tea garden workers. 'A lot of people claim they will give a lot of things but why didn't they do so all these years? They are nowhere to be seen during any leopard attacks yet make tall claims,' she remarked. Ms. Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of reneging on its promise to reopen tea gardens. 'Ahead of elections, I remember a BJP leader saying that they would reopen all tea gardens. But they couldn't even reopen one. I want to thank Moloy Ghatak, Gautam, Prakash Chik Baraik, Ganga Prasad Sharma, and others for reopening eight tea gardens in Alipurduar and seven tea gardens in Jalpaiguri. Before this, 59 tea gardens were reopened by us,' the Trinamool Congress chairperson added. The Chief Minister's remarks carry significance as the opposition BJP is considered politically strong in the region. Ms. Banerjee noted that under her government, the wages of tea garden workers have risen to ₹250. 'Free ration, water, electricity, healthcare facilities, and other necessities were arranged. Tea garden workers are getting pattas. Financial assistance is being given under the Chaa Sundari Extension Scheme. Over 8,000 and 13,000 families in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar respectively are getting benefits under this scheme,' she said. The Trinamool Congress chairperson also lauded her government's Lakshmi Bhandar scheme. 'Not just across the country but across the world, we were the ones who started Lakshmir Bhandar and it will continue for life. It is the dignity of our mothers, sisters, and women,' she added.
