'Bengal may need jail on Brigade Parade Ground': CM Suvendu Adhikari cites spate of arrests linked to graft during TMC rule

KOLKATA: A jail may soon have to be set up at Brigade Parade Ground, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said while addressing party workers on Sunday, in a sarcastic reference to the spate of arrests on corruption charges since BJP came to office in Bengal.

"Wherever you touch, a rotten stink emanates. It appears a jail may have to be set up on Brigade Parade Ground," he said at the programme in New Town. "The previous govt used to pay money to 2.2 crore people under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. Among them, 27 lakh did not have their names on the voters' list. Astonishingly, 3 lakh men used to get the Lakshmir Bhandar benefit," Adhikari said. The welfare scheme was meant only for women.



"In Murshidabad's Jangipur block, 4,500 beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar were found to be men. In one area in Krishnanagar II, 273 of the beneficiaries were men. Even pension meant for women was given to men. Just imagine, thousands of crores of rupees were given to these 30 lakh people every year," the CM said.

Adhikari said 50 lakh beneficiaries of Annapurna Yojana, which has replaced Lakshmir Bhandar, received Rs 3,000 each till Saturday.

The CM announced that Bengal would sign an agreement with the Centre on Monday for the implementation of Ayushman Bharat in the state. Adhikari will fly to Delhi for the signing ceremony.

"The agreement for Ayushman Bharat will be signed at Vigyan Bhavan at 3pm on Monday. About 1.4 crore families, or close to 6.5 crore individuals, will get the Ayushman Bharat card. The beneficiaries will be entitled to free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh under the scheme," the CM said.

Adhikari reiterated that Paschimbanga Divas (West Bengal Day) will be celebrated on June 20.

"On that day, the PM will attend a programme in Tarakeswar. The PM will be in Kolkata on 21st to attend a programme marking International Yoga Day," he said.