Cooch Behar (WB), Sep 22 West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday said his government has a zero-tolerance approach towards crimes against women and children, and warned of stringent action against anyone involved in assault or harassment of women.
The CM also said that an agreement will be signed with the central government on October 8 regarding the Cooch Behar airport, from which no flights are operated now.
Adhikari also directed the police to take strict action against all those involved in the Sahebganj police station case in Cooch Behar district, in which a minor was allegedly tortured.
“I have given clear instructions that stringent action will be taken against all the culprits. Small children, sisters, and mothers, if anyone places a finger on a woman, we will have to break that finger. Police have to take necessary action in this regard,” Adhikari said after an administrative review meeting here.
A disciplinary action has also been taken in the Sahebganj police station case, Adhikari said, without elaborating.
The CM also said the administrative review meeting discussed several district issues, including expanding national highways, railway-related matters, land for the Border Security Force, and road repairs before the Durga Puja festivities.
“We have to secure our borders to secure our motherland. We are giving 210 acres of land to the BSF. We have covered all the areas,” the chief minister said.
He said discussions were also held on a proposed airport and a contract with the Centre.
“Signing of the contract with the Centre regarding the new airport also featured in the meeting,” Adhikari said.
He said a key agreement would be signed with the Centre on October 8 under the UDAN scheme, in which Cooch Behar airport would be included.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu is scheduled to visit the state later this month, he said, adding that the airport issue would be discussed during his visit.
The CM said he would again come to Cooch Behar during the Rash Purnima, a major winter festival in the district.
On welfare schemes, Adhikari said around 5.58 lakh women in the district have benefited from the Annapurna Yojana, while applications were still being received from others.
“Around 5,58,000 women have benefited from the Annapurna Yojana. Others are demanding this. In every assembly, at least 70,000 have benefited from this scheme. This is a big number,” he said.
The CM also reviewed the implementation of Ayushman Bharat in the district and said around 2,000 patients had received treatment under the scheme. He said migrant workers had also availed of its benefits.
“Even around 100 migratory labourers also got the benefit from this,” he said.
“We had discussions on PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Krishak Bandhu,” Adhikari said.
Expressing concern over the medical facilities available in Cooch Behar, Adhikari criticised the previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments for the alleged inadequate infrastructure at the Cooch Behar Medical College and Hospital and questioned the absence of specialists in neurology and cardiology.
“I am quite shocked to see that there is no cath lab, no neurologist in the Coochbehar Medical College. Left Front was (in power) for 34 years, TMC for 15 years. What had they been doing all these years? How could they neglect?” he said.
Adhikari also said police had been directed to act against those seeking money from beneficiaries.
“If someone demands money from any beneficiary, then the person will be sent to jail,” he said.
He said coal smuggling from neighbouring Assam had been stopped and police had been asked to maintain strict vigil.
“I have told the police to take strict action. Though it is stopped now, no illegal coal should be smuggled into the state from Assam,” he said.
The chief minister also directed officials not to allow any syndicate, an agency often backed by politicians, to forcefully supply construction materials at inflated rates.
“Syndicates will not be allowed to function. All illegal drugs will have to be burnt. Those involved should be arrested under the NDPS Act. Neshamukta Abhijan should be carried out,” he said.
Regarding the demand for a separate Kamtapur state, Adhikari said the concerns and rights of the Rajbanshi community would be addressed through dialogue.
The demand for a separate state has been a long-standing one of the Rajbanshi community.
“The Rajbanshis voted for us in large numbers. We won with their votes. Their demands and rights will be decided through discussion,” he said.
He also announced that Rs 50 crore would be provided for an academy for the Rajbanshi language.
Referring to an attack on his convoy at Khagrabari in Cooch Behar when he was opposition leader, Adhikari said, “I believe in God. And they are only humans.
(PTI News)
