Major Achievements of Mamata Banerjee
Dr. Keshab Chandra Mandal
E-Mail: mandalekshab2013@gmail.com
The
discussions in the previous chapter indicate that there existed a great many
problems in the state prior to assembly elections in 2011. These include dire
financial crunch in state exchequer, disruption of life and property due to
frequent Maoist movement in Jungal Mahal, complex hill crisis, Singur land
dispute, indiscipline in administration, health problems, bad condition of
roads, high-handedness of a large section of government officials as well as
party members, unemployment problem, stagnation in industrialization and above
all corruption at every level. All these undesirable, unacceptable and
undemocratic happenings made a mess in the whole situation in state affairs.
The people, being disgusted and disturbed by the uncanny situation, voted for a
massive change in rule and they enthusiastically elected the Trinamool Congress
Party led by the firebrand leader of India Smt. Mamata Banerjee. After a
landslide victory in the state assembly elections it was a herculean task for
Mamata Banerjee to clean up all the political garbage, mitigate problems and
bring back normalcy in the state economy, administration and politics for
bringing back the lost glory of this cash-strapped state. People bestowed a lot
of responsibilities on her and the mercury of expectation of the common people
from her was too high. Being a wise and seasoned politician, she started to
work hard with sagacity and prudence to restore normalcy first and then work
fast to bring back the lost glory of the state. She was successful in most of
her attempts. A few of her remarkable achievements for reconstructing the state
of West Bengal are presented here under.
Land Return to Unwilling Farmers in
Singur
Topmost priority given by the chief
minister after entering the Writers’ Buildings was to solve the Singur land
crisis. As a result, the first decision she took in the first cabinet meeting
on 20th May 2011, the day she assumed power, at Writers’ Buildings
was to return the land to the unwilling farmers of Singur. She almost completed
the process of giving back the land to the villagers who did not accept cheques
from the previous Left Front government, for whom Mamata Banerjee fought
vehemently almost a decade ago. She did not forget to return the debt which she
owed to them. But due to ban on the process by Honb’le High Court, the process
of returning land was stalled. However, in September 2014 after the verdict of
the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India Mamata Banerjee paid the compensation
cheques to 806 unwilling farmers and land record documents to 9,117 farmers
including both willing and unwilling farmers. She also declared that Rs. 10,000
will be given to each farmer for making the land cultivable. Even the monthly
stipend to farmers will continue till the land is made suitable for agriculture.
While distributing the parchas of
land, she uttered that, “I am not anti-industry, I am opposed to forcible land
acquisition.” She further added that, “Industry and agriculture are like
siblings; they are not opposed to each other.” The chief minister promised the
Tatas to give about 1000 acres of land for automobiles industry at Goaltore in
Paschim Medinipur.1 She also offered land to BMW, another automobile
giant, to set up manufacturing industry at Panagarh (Burdwand district),
Kharagpur or Goaltore (West Midnapore).2 All this indicates her
concern for the development of the backward region of Paschim Medinipur,
respect for the industrialists and love for poor people in Hooghly district,
especially for the farmers.
Her next priority was to solve the
twin burning problems faced by her predecessor and which came on her shoulder
i.e. the issue of development in Maoist-infested Jangal Mahal and solution of
Darjeeling hill problems. In this regard, she adopted two different methods –
both soft and hard. In the one hand, she introduced several development schemes
including physical infrastructure; set up new schools, colleges and university;
ensured peace; distributed cycles to the girl students; declared rice, wheat,
and sugar in much subsidized rate and offered other benefits and, on the other
hand, she adopted hard line in dealing with the Maoists and those trying to
destabilize the government. Her two weapons – love and sternness – started to
show miracles and produced desired fruits.
Solution of Maoist Problem
Jungle
Mahal is made of 23 blocks spread over 8,000 sq. km in the districts of West
Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia. Nearly 40 lakh people live in the zone, one of
the most under-developed in the country. Lack of development has helped the
Maoists spread their network in the area.3 The wise and prudent
chief minister knows it very well that to give good governance and ensure
development the first thing needed is peace and tranquility in the state and
especially in the backward areas like Jungal Mahal. Without establishing peace,
no development could be possible – was well-understood by the experienced chief
minister. Hence, Mamata Banerjee after assuming chair took the first step for
restoring peace in Jungal Mahal. She gave six-point thrust for peace and
development in Jungal Mahal, the region that covers the Maoist-affected areas
of Paschim Medinipur, Purulia and Bankura. Those are as follows:
1. State government was ready to
hold talks to restore peace in Jungal Mahal. A team of human rights activists
would initiate the process. 2. Central forces would be withdrawn only after all
arms were surrendered and peace was restored in Jungal Mahal. 3. Government
would work out comprehensive developmental package for Jungal Mahal. Government
would recover arms and offer economic package to those who surrendered weapons.
4. Villagers would retain the right to the forests. 5. She appealed to all
people there to participate in the development process and those creating an
atmosphere of terror should stop doing so. 6. The committee for releasing
political prisoners will speed up the process.
It proved her eagerness and
sincerity to solve the Maoist problems in Jungal Mahal. Through the appeal she
also expressed her willingness for bringing about real development in the
region. The development and participation of people in the area should be made
through activism of the gram panchayats
and panchayat samitis. Therefore,
meetings of gram sabha and gram sansads should be called regularly.
All village level developmental plans should be taken at these public forums.
The chief minister instructed the BDOs and SDOs to mobilize people in gram sansad meetings.
The chief minister sent out a clear signal to the
Maoists that they have to abjure the politics of violence in order to pave the
way for talks with the government. Mamata Banerjee also launched an
unprecedented attack on the violence unleashed by Maoists, prompted probably by
the killing of a Trinamool worker by suspected Maoists in Paschim Medinipur’s
Jhargram for trying to build up a resistance movement against the rebels.
Mamata Banerjee said that civilians were being killed by Maoists and the
politics of murder has to stop. Killing of innocent people is a criminal
offence and no one has the right to kill.
While she
warned the Maoist rebels, she kept on development works along with widening
scope for negotiations with the Maoists and Human Rights group. Within a few
days of her inception in new assignment on July 7, 2011 the chief minister
appointed a six-member team of human right activists to negotiate with the rebels. The team consisted
of Sujato Bhadra, Debasish Bhattacharya, Kalyan Rudra, Ashokendu Sengupta,
Chhoton Das and Prasun Bhowmik. The chief minister authorized the team to talk
with the Maoists because it was important to restore peace in the area. She
proclaimed that the government was committed to implement its development
package for the people of Jungal Mahal. After liberating Jungal Mahal from arms
and ammunition and restoring peace central forces would be withdrawn.
Government’s
Decision to Feed the Poor
The Government took an early
decision to distribute rice at Rs. 2 per kg. to the tribal as well as other
poor people in the blocks of Jungal Mahal under the Integrated Tribal
Development Program (ITDP). It was declared as a part of the “Food for all”
program. The chief minister expressed that her government would ensure food for
all so that not a single person remains unfed even for half a day (adh bela). The food minister Jyotipriya
Mallick visited Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia and inspected the level of
poverty and subsequently people living under the ITDP mouzas in those three
districts started to getting one kilo rice by Rs. 2. Even other poor people of
those areas also availed themselves of the benefit.4
Chief
Minister Visits Jungal Mahal
After declaring government benefits
to the poor people of the affected areas Mamata Banerjee visited Jungle Mahal
in July, 2011. She met the officials there and re-evaluated the development
projects. She also distributed baby food, agricultural pension, patta of
land, scholarship and cycles to the poor villagers and students. She declared
the following developmental schemes for the poor and backward people of the
Jungal Mahal. In regard to employment opportunities she declared that (a) Ten
thousand boys and girls would be recruited in the police force. In every three
month three thousand police will be recruited from this area. (b) In every
block there would be 50 “krishakbandhus”
in Jungal Mahal. Each employee would get Rs. 4000 per month. (c) In Alchiki language
children would read. In 900 schools in the areas 1800 Santali teachers would be
recruited in the days to come.
In regard to health facilities she
promised that (a) Jhargram hospital would be upgraded to district hospital and
63 new primary health centers would be set up. (b) To solve the problems of
nurses, a few nursing colleges would be opened. The first one of such kind
would be at Lalgarh. (c) A large unit of door to door health care would be sent
for treatment of rural people. (d) Each woman victim of Salboni episode would
be given Rs.1 lakh as compensation.
Education being the only weapon to
kill ignorance, superstition and narrowness of mind, the chief minister
emphasized on setting up more educational institutions and other materials
relating to education in those backward areas. She held that (a) government
would provide bi-cycle to every girl student from class IX to XII in the area,
(now it has extended to all school boys and girls in Secondary and Higher
Secondary level). (b) There would be college at Nayagram, Gopiballavpur and
Salboni. A polytechnique college will be set up at Binpur, and at Khatra there
would be an IIT level nursing college. (c) 128 secondary schools would be
promoted to higher secondary level and 33 hostels would be constructed – 12 for
girls and 21 for boys. (d) After the rainy season was over, the recruitment of Anganwadi workers would be started.
There should be all facilities of Mid-Day Meal with school dress and services.
For tribal welfare the chief
minister announced that, (a) in the Jungal Mahal, 75 thousand people would be
given old-age pension. Besides, the kendu leaves would be bought in accurate or
even higher price from the procurers. (b) So far one kg. rice at the rate of
Rs. 2 was given once in a week; it would be now two kilo. (c) Agriculture
pension has been introduced. Some thousand people would get pattas.
Already 180 people were given pattas
by the new government.
On industry and development, the
chief minister declared that (a) in Garbeta, there would be a factory on a
thousand acres of land. (b) An international centre of small and cluster
industries would be set up at Jungal Mahal. (c) For drinking water 112 crore
rupees was already sanctioned. In the municipality areas pipeline water system
would be introduced soon. (d) Again during night time trains would resume
running. At Nayagram there would be new rail line and more new trains would
run. (e) A bridge would be constructed over the river Subarnarekha. Once the
bridge was constructed the distance between Kanthi and Gopiballavpur and
Medinipur would be reduced. For the development of games and sports the chief
minister declared that, there would be a Sports Academy named after Birsha
Munda. Jhargram Stadium would be modernized and a new stadium would be
constructed at Nayagram. Almost all the promises have been fulfilled by the
government.
Special Package was Declared for Surrendered
Maoists
In August 2011
Mamata Banerjee announced a package for Maoist rebels who surrendered,
promising jobs and also financial incentives had been offered to rebels for
laying down arms.
As the scheme,
announced in July 2010 during the chief ministership of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya,
had failed to meet its objective because only eight rebels had till then
surrendered, the new government had to announce a reformed scheme to allure and
attract them to join the mainstream. Mamata Banerjee decided to sweeten the
deal by making it financially more attractive.
The new government
was ready with its plan to bring the Maoists back to the mainstream. A
screening committee, comprising senior officers from the state police and
central paramilitary forces, had been formed to monitor the process of
surrender. The Centre supported to bring the rebels back to the mainstream in
Maoist affected states like Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Orissa.
The incentive scheme
of the new government was lucrative in comparison to the earlier Buddhadeb
Bhattacharjee government for surrendering AK 47. Earlier they announced Rs.
15,000 and afterwards it stood at Rs. 1 lakh. The Left offered no jobs, but the
new government offered jobs to the Maoists. The other provisions – like fixed
deposit of Rs. 1.5 lakh for a period of three years and a stipend of Rs. 2000
for 36 months – announced by the Left Front government in July, 2010, remained
unchanged. Mamata Banerjee had dangled another carrot for the rebels. Though
the government offered government jobs to those who surrendered, she declared
that heinous crimes committed by the surrendered Maoists would continue to be
tried in the court.
The decision taken
by the state government was according to the released guidelines issued by the
Home ministry’s Naxal management division. Home Department sources said that
the Maoists could surrender before any unit of central forces, the district
magistrate, superintendent of police, deputy inspector general, inspector
general (operations), inspector general (Intelligence Bureau), or sub
divisional police officer. The screening committee would decide whom to give
the package within 15 days of surrender. For bringing normalcy and bring back peace,
the government intended to help those who wanted to come forward and work for
the welfare of the society. Besides, it was promised that proper security would
be provided to the surrendered Maoists and their families.
Development
Schemes for Jungal Mahal
The government realized that
without development of the area, sustainable peace cannot be ensured. Hence,
the government undertook a lot of development projects. Most of the schemes
have been mentioned above. A few more achievements of the government need to be
highlighted here. First, the Higher Education Department has set up three
degree colleges at Lalgarh, Salboni and Narayangarh. Construction of
Polytechnique at Ramgarh of Paschim Medinipur is underway. Besides, the
construction of ITIs at Shalboni, Khatra and Balarampur in Paschim Medinipur,
Bankura and Purulia are progressing rapidly.
A separate girls’ wing has been
added with the Jhargram Raj College. These institutions have started operation
from the academic year 2014-15. Secondly, 234 Secondary Schools have been
upgraded to Higher Secondary level. Thirty six 50-seated girls’ hostels are
coming up. 1027 Santali teachers have been recruited for teaching the tribal
children in schools. About 48 thousand bi-cycles have been distributed to the
girls in the area. A High Madrasah has been opened at Simlapal in Bankura
district.
The health department is set to
construct 5 multi-specialty hospitals at Jhargram, Nayagram, Salboni,
Gopiballavpur and Purilia in Jungle Mahal. At Lalgarh an ANM training centre
was set up, and it has already started to function. As some areas of Jungle
Mahal are drought prone, the department of public health engineering has taken
up piped drinking water supply schemes. Out of 41 such projects, 39 have been
completed. Besides, the requirement of water for irrigation will be met through
79 schemes in Paschim Medinipur, 60 schemes in Bankura and 37 schemes in
Purulia by the Water Resources Investigation and Development Department. 29 new
MR shops are being constructed for supplying food grains to the remote areas.
For increasing interest in games and sports of the youths of Jungal Mahal, the
sitting capacity for the spectators of Jhargram stadium has been increased from
150 to 2000. Two sports academies have been set up at Jhargram and Kharidungri
in Paschim Medinipur and Bankura. So far 10,700 jobs have been given to the
youths of the areas in the posts of NVFs, guards and junior constables. Apart
from putting efforts in uplifting the lives of the tribal people in
Junglemahal, Banerjee has put a new shape to the infrastructure in the area.
The much awaited bridges on river Subarnarekha connecting Keshiary and Nayagram
Blocks and on river Kangsabati connecting Medinipur and Jhargram were
inaugurated by the chief minister in February 2016. She has named the bridge on
river Subarnarekha as ‘Jangalkanya’ Bridge and the bridge on river Kangsabati
as Lalgarh bridge. The 1472 meter long ‘Jangalkanya’ bridge has been built
at a cost of nearly Rs.170 Crore and this is the longest river bridge in the
state.5
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