No detention camps in Bengal: Mamata

Amitava Banerjee |MP | 23 October 2019 | Darjeeling: "There will be no detention camps in Bengal" declared Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from the administrative meeting in North Bengal on Tuesday, speaking in the context of the NRC.

"I on behalf of Bengal assure you that there will be no NRC in the state. It is the state government which implements policies. In Assam they managed because the BJP is a part of the government. Remember here we run the government. Thus there is no question of detention camps," stated Banerjee.

Incidentally, Union Home minister Amit Shah had stated recently that the Union government is making preparations for building 'detention camps'.

The Chief Minister reiterated that they would oppose the Citizenship Amendment Bill. "A bill based on religion is totally wrong. It will also convert existing citizens to foreigners for 6 years. This is unacceptable," Banerjee said.

There has been a lot of fear surrounding NRC in North Bengal and there have been a number of deaths surrounding the phobia as well. Banerjee alleged that a religious outfit is running schools in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar and have been brainwashing young minds. "We invite constructive criticism but there has been planned negative propaganda against us through social media. People are being misinformed," said the Chief Minister.

Banerjee chaired an administrative meeting of three districts of North Bengal namely Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar. The meeting was held at Uttarkanya, the secretariat located on the fringes of Siliguri in the Jalpaiguri district.

The Chief Minister once again drove home the point that people trying to avail services and facilities provided by the government should in no way face harassment.

She asked the district magistrates to keep a tab on different tasks related to the electoral rolls. In case of any mistakes, strong action will be taken, warned the Chief Minister. She added that strict tab has to be kept so that the same person does not enlist in more than one place.

Banerjee stated that special camps will be organised in November for enlisting for ration cards, along with rectification of mistakes in existing cards. She also asked the officials to decentralise the camps.

"Do not hold a single camp where there will be serpentine queues. Rather, hold small camps in different locations so that the job can be done smoothly. Decentralise it," Banerjee said.

She also laid stress on the 'Sashya-bima' (crop insurance) and 'Krishak Bandhu' schemes. Departmental heads claimed that from November 1, money from the crop insurance will be deposited in the bank accounts of the farmers.

40 lakh farmers have been identified as beneficiaries and the second phase of monetary benefit will be disbursed shortly. Banerjee reiterated that in case of issuance of SC/ST certificates, beneficiaries should in no way be harassed by demanding unnecessary documents.

Banerjee also announced construction of a new hostel building, along with sanction of a post for Pro V-C for North Bengal University, at the meeting.