"Punish culprits but don't take away jobs": Mamata to HC

West Bengal's Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has requested that the court show compassion and fairness after the High Court canceled the jobs of teachers who were involved in continuous rigging in the West Bengal teacher recruitment scam case.

At an event held by the Alipore Bar Association on the 150th birth anniversary of Rishi Arvind Ghosh, she expressed her disappointment with the court's decision, stating that while those who have committed injustices should be punished, thousands of people are losing their jobs every day. Mamata Banerjee pleaded with the court to give these people another chance and not take away their means of livelihood.

The Bengal CM also spoke about the need to strengthen the legal aid service and suggested that she might represent cases herself in order to speak more openly. She emphasized the importance of justice having a human face, and called for those at the lower levels to be given another opportunity.

She acknowledged the economic crisis the country is facing and expressed her disappointment with the central government's decision to collect the GST, which was previously collected by the states. She also noted that the outstanding amount for the 100-day work program is 7000 crores, despite the government taking out many loans.

Mamata Banerjee stated that the state government should be given a pay scale that is in line with the center, and that this is only fair if the state has the capacity to pay.