'No grants for big puja pandals' says CM Suvendu; clarifies who will get the aid

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as the pride of 140 crore Indians and stating that he has dedicated his entire life to the nation as its chief servant. The Chief Minister said the NDA and BJP government's guiding principle is "Nation First" along with development while preserving heritage. He credited the Prime Minister with rebuilding the country through public welfare and national service and highlighted infrastructure achievements including railways, roads, airports, IITs, IIMs, AIIMS institutions, Vande Bharat trains, Amrit Bharat railway stations, the Pamban Bridge and the Atal Tunnel. He also said that while only 74 airports were built in the first 67 years after Independence, 90 new airports have been constructed during the last 12 years, enabling even poor citizens to travel by air through the UDAN scheme.

The Chief Minister also highlighted various welfare initiatives and economic achievements under the Central government. He said women have been empowered through schemes such as Lakhpati Didi, 14 crore toilets have been constructed, five crore people have benefited under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and several welfare programmes have been implemented ranging from free ration distribution to the Har Ghar Jal initiative. He stated that four lakh kilometres of roads have been built, India has become the world's third-largest mobile phone manufacturing country and has achieved the top position in milk production. He further said that the Prime Minister is moving towards making India a global leader and noted that the Ram Temple had been constructed after a wait of 500 years. He also announced that the Prime Minister will visit Tarakeswar on June 20.

Referring to West Bengal, Adhikari said people are witnessing the work carried out within one month of the new government taking office. He stated that Ayushman Bharat and the Surya Ghar scheme have already been implemented in the state. According to him, ₹700 crore has been sanctioned for MGNREGA and ₹8,500 crore for a G-Ram or G-Rojgar-related programme. He said the Centre and the State government will work together and added that the full state budget scheduled for June 22 will reflect an economic policy aimed at building a self-reliant Bengal. He also said discussions on family planning would be held soon and that the government would function under the guidance of Sameek Da, in accordance with the Constitution and national interest.

The Chief Minister said that after the disturbances in Asansol and Park Circus, no major incident had occurred anywhere in the state and warned of strict action against anyone attempting to create trouble in the future. He asserted that there would be no Chief Minister tougher than him. He said the government was aware that various illegal activities had allegedly been carried out using Bengal's soil and added that allegations made by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar would be investigated. He also alleged that the previous government provided ₹635 crore to an event management organisation in the name of BGBS. On industrial policy, he stated that industrialists would undergo verification to ensure they were not linked to land or bank scams before receiving land. He said roads and footpaths would not be allowed to remain encroached upon and that alternatives would be explored after voluntary removal. Adhikari further stated that a decision on grants to Durga Puja committees would be taken later based on need and stressed that no one had the right to encroach upon areas such as Rajabazar, Metiabruz and New Market.