Mamata Banerjee shuns chopper, stops at villages

CM talks about how the Centre’s decision to freeze funds for various central schemes in Bengal increased the woes of the rural populace

WB CM Mamata Banerjee cooks and serves food to the locals of Jhargram: PTI

Snehamoy Chakraborty   |   TT  |  Calcutta   |  16.11.22  :  Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday visited at least three villages in Jhargram and spoke to people for a first-hand feel of their daily problems, the conversations corroborating her claims on how the Centre’s decision to freeze funds for various central schemes in Bengal increased the woes of the rural populace.

On her way back from Belpahari, where she attended tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary event, Mamata didn’t take a chopper back to Jhargram. She travelled by road.

“She stopped her convoy at least thrice on the 30km stretch from Belpahari to Jhargram. She got out of the car and walked into small villages and entered homes. Villagers narrated their plight in the absence of 100 days’ jobs, scarcity of drinking water and halt of funds for rural housing,” said an official.

At Kurchibani village, she spoke to tribal women and cradled a baby.

“Didi, my house was not built. We have to walk far for a tub of water... please see...,” said a woman from the crowd.

Mamata explained why the woman’s house was not built.

“You are not getting your house as Delhi is not giving us funds. We are fighting to get the money. Your house will be built once we arrange money. I am assuring you that you will get piped drinking water connection by 2024-end,” Mamata said.

She told some youths near Muchiganj how the Centre’s decision added to their woes.

Senior officials, involved in  preparing her  itinerary, said her decision to visit villages was impromptu.