KOLKATA: In a major electoral pitch ahead of the West Bengal polls, Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a comprehensive blueprint for the state’s transformation on Monday. Targeting women empowerment, youth employment, government staff welfare, and ironclad law enforcement, Shah positioned the BJP as the harbinger of real progress.
At the heart of his announcements was a whopping Rs 5,700 crore package exclusively for women’s upliftment. This fund will fuel initiatives ensuring safety, self-reliance, and economic independence for Bengal’s mothers and sisters. ‘Their dignity and security will be our top priority,’ Shah asserted, addressing longstanding concerns over women’s safety in the state.
Tackling the contentious issue of 26,000 teacher recruitments, Shah vowed transparent resolutions with adequate financial backing. This move aims to deliver justice to meritorious educators and streamline the education system plagued by delays and disputes.
Government employees received a morale booster with the promise of 7th Pay Commission benefits, a relief long denied under the current regime. Shah detailed plans to kickstart filling all vacant posts by December 26, opening doors for youth employment. Additionally, a special five-year age relaxation in government job recruitments will further empower Bengal’s young aspirants.
On law and order, Shah drew a hard line. Political patronage to corrupt elements and criminals will end, he declared. ‘No protection for lawbreakers, regardless of their backing,’ he said, pledging to dismantle external mafia influences and organized crime syndicates. In a pointed move against illegal immigration, Shah committed to identifying infiltrators, taking strict legal action, and deporting them from the state upon BJP’s victory.
Shah didn’t hold back criticism of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. Questioning their priorities, he highlighted the recent state budget: a mere Rs 80 crore for science and technology versus Rs 5,700 crore for madrasas. ‘Is your agenda jobs for Bengali youth through science or expanding madrasas?’ he challenged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Painting a grim picture of 15 years of TMC rule, Shah pointed to Bengal’s Rs 8 lakh crore debt burden—translating to Rs 77,000 debt per newborn. Scandals from teacher recruitments to cattle smuggling, PDS ration frauds, MGNREGA misappropriations, and PM Awas Yojana irregularities have tarnished the state’s image, he alleged. Even the DGP accused of shielding these scams is being rewarded with a Rajya Sabha seat, Shah charged.
Shah praised state employees for their loyalty over 15 years but lambasted the government for denying them the 7th Pay Commission while others across India have benefited. ‘Form a BJP government, and within 45 days, we’ll implement it,’ he promised, urging a change for transparent governance and development.