Fear for deposits of people in banks, post offices and LIC: Mamata

Banerjee’s comments come in the wake of the Hindenburg Research report that made a slew of allegations of wrongdoing against the business conglomerate led by industrialist Gautam Adani, in which state-owned lender SBI and Life Insurance Corporation have exposure.

PTI, Howrah, 9 February 2023  :  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed concern over the plight of people’s deposits in banks, post offices and the LIC, claiming that the existence of such institutions might be at stake in future. 

Banerjee’s comments come in the wake of the Hindenburg Research report that made a slew of allegations of wrongdoing against the business conglomerate led by industrialist Gautam Adani, in which state-owned lender SBI and Life Insurance Corporation have exposure. "Some day, they will say wind up LIC, banks and post offices; so where will the people go?" she said, in an indirect reference to the BJP-led central government.

Banerjee was speaking at a programme at Panchla here for laying the foundation of various projects, and extending government services to people. The general public make investments in life insurance and bank deposits, which are provided as loans to various business houses, the CM claimed. She reiterated that the Centre has not released funds for the 100-day job guarantee scheme to West Bengal.

"We are yet to get Rs 7,000 crore for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS),” Banerjee said. Raising concern over proper utilisation of funds granted in the past, the BJP-led NDA government has withheld money for various welfare schemes in the state. 

"I urge the central government not to deprive poor people and provide the dues,” she said. The chief minister also claimed that her government has created 10 lakh workdays and made payments form the the state's funds. "Funds for 11 lakh houses (under Prime Minister Awas Yojana) are also pending," Banerjee said.

The Trinamool Congress supremo said though the state government bears 40 per cent share of the funds meant for the scheme, the Centre claims bulk of the credit. “It is our money, which they take as GST and then do not give our share," she said. Banerjee also asserted that she would not allow the division of Bengal or entertain “divisive forces”.

Meanwhile on another occasion the Chief Minister said the Bantala leather complex in Kolkata will get an additional investment of  Rs 10,000 crore. In the last one year, 92 new tanneries have been given land  lease  for  setting  up  units  in  the complex, she said. "At Bantala, Rs 30,000 crore have been invested that generated employment for three lakh people. 

Another Rs 10,000 crore will be invested," Banerjee said. There are 50 units at Bantala and 50more are coming up, the CM said. She said the Duare Sarkar' (government at doorstep)scheme will be held every three months.

Nine crore applications for the scheme were received by the state government, of which seven crore have been considered, the chief minister  said.  Efforts  are  underway  to provide tap water access to all in West Bengal by  2024,  Banerjee  said,  as  she  laid  the foundation stone for a 100-bed hospital at Furfura Sharif and 208 water projects. 

The Trinamool Congress supremo also said that more than 30,000 MSMEs have come up in Howrah district and two parks - jewellery and hosiery - have been set up there. She said a Rs 2,700-crore flood relief project has been taken up, which would provide relief  to the residents of  Howrah, Hooghly and Midnapore.   

Banerjee added that her government has invested Rs 35,000 crore in the Deocha Pachami coal block in Birbhum district, and Rs10,000-crore worth rehabilitation package has been provided.

Three industrial corridors are also coming up  in  south  Bengal  --  Dankuni-Kalyani, Dankuni-Haldia and Dankuni-Raghunathpur-- the CM said.