Sources said the government may also publish advertisements if necessary to identify families whose members died in political violence during the past 25 years. The initiative is aimed at providing employment to one member of each eligible family.
According to sources, a virtual meeting was held yesterday evening between Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal and district magistrates (DMs). During the meeting, the Chief Secretary reportedly instructed DMs to gather information about families affected by political violence.
A notification regarding the proposed employment initiative is expected to be issued shortly, sources said.
Reacting to the development, Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh said the initiative was not new. He stated that Mamata Banerjee had previously stood by the families of people who died due to political violence.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari once again challenged Mamata Banerjee during an event in South 24 Parganas.
Addressing the gathering, Adhikari said, "This year, nobody invited her (Mamata Banerjee) to any puja. She calls Hinduism a dirty religion. She took out a procession on the day of the Ram Temple. If she has the courage, let her fight again. I have defeated her twice, and I will defeat her again."
He also referred to the formation of the Trinamool Congress and said that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had blessed the party when it was established.
Adhikari further remarked, "Now Baby and Aunt are drinking tea together. A party has broken apart within five months of losing an election. You will not find such a party anywhere. Look at Odisha. The Biju Janata Dal lost, but the party still exists. No matter how many times elections are held, you will lose. The same Congress that the Trinamool Congress broke away from is now at whose feet it has fallen."
The Chief Minister also addressed questions about the alleged departure of a prominent political figure, saying, "Many people are asking when the big thief will go. I say that things have to be done at the right time. The BJP always follows Raj Dharma."
Referring to a case involving a minor girl from a minority family in the area, Adhikari said he may not have been able to bring the girl back to her family, but he had stood by them. He also disclosed that the government had provided Rs 20 lakh and a job to the family.
Adhikari further said that land taken from people would be returned to them. He added that land recovered would be given to members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC-ST) communities.
The Chief Minister also spoke about the so-called "tukde-tukde gang", claiming that four MLAs from the area were enough to bring the group under control.
The reported employment initiative for families affected by political violence, along with the Chief Minister's remarks on political opponents, has brought the issue of political violence and its consequences for affected families back into focus in West Bengal.
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