Modi govt may hike fuel prices after assembly polls: Abhishek Banerjee
Kolkata (PTI): Senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Friday said there is a strong possibility that the BJP-led central government will increase the prices of cooking gas and transport fuel after the assembly elections are over on April 29.
Addressing an election campaign for the TMC candidate in Binpur assembly constituency in Jhargram district, Birbaha Hansda, Banerjee also accused the Narendra Modi government of not taking the necessary steps to address the aggravating fuel crisis in West Bengal.
The TMC general secretary dared Modi and his ministers to make a promise at their election meetings that there would be no hike in the prices of LPG, petrol, and diesel over the next five years.
"Rest assured, they (BJP) will not make any such pledge. Instead, once the election phase is over, take my words that on April 30, there is a strong possibility they will make domestic LPG price cost Rs 2,000 and petrol-diesel Rs 200 per litre,” the Diamond Harbour MP said.
Banerjee, the de facto number two in the TMC, said that in 12 years of its tenure since 2014, the BJP hiked LPG price from Rs 400 per cylinder to Rs 1,000.
"The BJP is not concerned about the plight of the common man. The Modi government only knows how to fool the people with false promises,” he claimed.
Charging the Modi government with taking anti-people steps which caused undue harassment to lakhs of citizens, he said, “The BJP forced people to stand for hours in queues before LPG agencies, before banks during demonetisation and in SIR camps."
Alleging that the BJP government has been withholding Rs 1 lakh crore for West Bengal for political vendetta, he asserted that despite that, the TMC administration managed to run the housing, piped drinking water, and 100-day work projects with its own resources.
“Once we return to power, the target to supply piped drinking water for every household will be met. An old-age pension will be given to every elderly citizen in six months. Unlike the BJP, we never fail to deliver,” he said.
Banerjee came down heavily on the BJP for allegedly spreading rumours that the women’s financial assistance scheme 'Lakshmir Bhandar' will be stopped by the Mamata Banerjee government if the TMC returns to power for the fourth term.
“In 2021, our CM had promised about Lakshmir Bhandar, and the project has been expanded by including every woman in a household and increasing the amount. By the first or second date of every month, the money enters the bank account of every deserving person," he said.
Beneficiaries of other schemes are also receiving the money regularly, the MP said.
"We will continue with the schemes and not withdraw, unlike the BJP governments, which go back on their electoral promises once the votes are over,” he claimed.
The TMC leader alleged that the BJP treats opposition leaders with disdain.
“During a demonstration in Delhi against the Centre demanding state’s dues, our MPs, MLAs and ministers were dragged and pushed by the Delhi police into vehicles. Women and representatives from backward castes and tribal leaders were also not spared. The BJP should not talk about democracy,” Banerjee said.
He claimed in the rally in the Binpur constituency that during the TMC's demonstration in Delhi, the women harassed by the police included the candidate, Birbaha Hansda, and Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen.
Banerjee said more than 10 schools were established across this seat where Ol Chiki, the Santhali language, and Bengali have been introduced as mediums of instruction.
“What was the situation in regions like Binpur, Jamboni, Manbazar, and Sarenga before 2011? There was no law and order, and people were afraid to step out. There was no educational infrastructure or welfare in Jangalemahal. It is our government that has restored peace and brought prosperity here,” he said.
Binpur is part of the tribal-majority Jangalmahal region, the forested parts of Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram districts, in the southern part of West Bengal.
“And now BJP leaders come here as daily passengers—from Jhargram, Purulia, or Paschim Medinipur—but where were they before 2011? Back then, only Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool,” he said.
The TMC came to power in West Bengal in 2011, defeating the CPI(M)-led Left Front, which ruled the state for 34 years in a row.
Alleging that the BJP was creating division between Hindus and Muslims, and Adivasis and Kurmis, he claimed the son of Ajit Mahato, leader of the Adivasi Kurmi Samaj, is now the BJP-supported candidate from Purulia’s Joypur.
“They want to take away your rights, while TMC wants to give you your rights,” he said.
At another meeting in Kolaghat in Purba Medinipur, he said that BJP leaders have been speaking against ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’; while some of them have promised to increase the monthly allowance to Rs 3000 if they come to power.
“BJP is in power in around 15 states, including Assam, Odisha, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Mamata Banerjee provides Lakshmir Bhandar to 2.4 crore women without conditions. Can the BJP implement this in states where they are in power? If they can do it in even one state, I will not ask for votes for the TMC,” he added.
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Cancel licences of shops selling tobacco, drugs near schools: Dakshina Kannada SP
Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Dr Arun K has directed officials to initiate cancellation of licences of shops and commercial establishments found selling cigarettes, tobacco or narcotic substances near schools and colleges in the district.
He was speaking at the district-level Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) committee meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Friday.
The SP said the School Education Department should obtain reports from School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs) to ensure that no smoking or drug-related activities are taking place in and around school premises. He also stressed the need to conduct regular awareness programmes in schools and colleges against drug abuse.
Officials from various departments have been asked to organise awareness drives among the public on a regular basis. He further directed that homestays and lodges should be inspected, while Coastal Security Police must carry out surprise checks on boats.
He said close monitoring should be maintained on parcels in KSRTC buses, and awareness campaigns should also be conducted in industrial units. Vigilance must be increased at railway stations and airports as well, he added.
District Health Officer Dr Thimmayya informed that a dedicated counselling centre is functioning at the district Wenlock Hospital to help children addicted to drugs and other substances. Parents can bring their children there for support and treatment, he said.
Deputy Commissioner Mithun, Assistant Conservator of Forests Shashikant and other officials were present at the meeting.
