The Chief Minister was in contact with representatives of different communities (File)
Calcutta:
Keeping an eye on the votes of refugees in the state in the 2021 assembly ballot, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday granted land rights to 25,000 refugee families and said that a total of 1.25 lakh families would be granted land rights.
The land title will be unconditional, said Banerjee, who announced it a year ago.
Ms. Banerjee also awarded a grant of Rs 10 crore and Rs 5 crore respectively to the Matua Development Council and the Namashudra Development Council.
“Today we are handing over 25,000 land rights documents to refugees. A total of 1.25 lakh of refugee families would be granted land rights in the coming days, ”she told a program at the secretariat.
“This land law document will serve as proof that you (the beneficiaries) are a citizen of this country. No one can take your citizenship away from you, ”she said.
The government, Ms. Banerjee said, is continuously working for the development of the communities of Matua and Namashudra in the state.
The Chief Minister was in contact with representatives of different communities, folk and traditional artists where she officially began to deliver pattas refugees, many of whom represent backward communities.
This patta is “nisartho dalil(unconditional land deed), said Ms Banerjee, adding that she had worked for the refugee land deed since the late 1980s, when she was a congressman in Jadavpur.
She searched the BJP and said those who are unaware of the realities on the ground in the state only do so before the elections and try to deceive people, including those from backward communities, with false promises.
“Suddenly they (BJP) woke up to Matuas’ question. They make big promises before the votes. Do they know how long we’ve been working for these people?” Ms. Banerjee said.
“We award Rs 10 crore and Rs 5 crore to Matua Development Board and Namashudra Development Board. We will also allocate funds to the Bagdi, Mahji and Dule communities, ”she said.
The development came just ahead of the two-day visit by the Union Home Secretary and top BJP leader Amit Shah to the state.
