Mamata launches series of projects in Cooch Behar

Amitava Banerjee | MP |Cooch Behar/Darjeeling: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that Bengal has set an example for the rest of the country to follow in the area of development, highlighting that it is the people's government that has been working relentlessly for the masses.

Tracing her long association with the district since her student politics days, the Chief Minister said that her strong connection with the area continued in the capacity of Railway Minister and still does as the Chief Minister.

Banerjee inaugurated projects laid foundation stones and handed over benefits to beneficiaries of different government schemes. She laid the foundation stones of nine projects to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 31 crore and 61 lakh. The Chief Minister also inaugurated 16 projects to be completed at a cumulative cost of Rs 108 crore 41 lakh.

Benefits worth Rs 7 crore 35 lakh were handed over to 73,591 beneficiaries under the Kanyashree scheme. Around 4,114 beneficiaries received Rs 25,000 each under the Rupashree scheme.

Humanitarian aid to the tune of Rs 49,67,000 was handed over to 8,067 beneficiaries. Rs 36 crore 86 lakh worth grants were handed over to 7,938 beneficiaries under different social security schemes. As many as 112 vehicles were handed over to beneficiaries under the Gatidhara scheme.

About 41,006 students received cycles under the Sabuj Sathi scheme at a cost of Rs 13 crore 12 lakh.

"The Union government hardly spends any money under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme. 70 percent of the allocation is spent on advertisements. They just believe in making noise. Here in Bengal, girls are not dependent on anyone anymore. There are ample government schemes for them," stated the Chief Minister.

She also added that while there was Kanyashree project for the girl child, there was the Sikshashree project for tribal students.

"Soft loans of Rs 10 lakh are given to tribal students for higher studies. Tribal students are also entitled to Rs 20 lakh of soft loans if they want to study abroad," stated Banerjee.

She further maintained that there are 1 crore 70 lakh students from the minority community in Bengal out of which 30 lakh students have been awarded scholarships and Rs 6000 crore has already been spent for different scholarships and educational schemes.

"Cooch Behar district has been the best performer for the 100-day job guarantee scheme. We have declared Cooch Behar a heritage town. It has been also declared the Nirmal district with 4 lakh 30 thousand toilets constructed," she stated.

Banerjee added that a new bridge is coming up on Raidhak river. "The Madanmohan temple and surroundings have been renovated. We are coming up with accommodation facilities for tourists near the temple," stated the Chief Minister.

From Cooch Behar, Banerjee departed for Tilabari Tourist Complex near Batabari in Jalpaiguri district by helicopter.

She will attend an administrative meeting and a government programme at Tiyabon near Chalsa on Wednesday.

On arriving at Tilabari, she walked 7 km to offer prayers at the famous Mahakal shrine.