India
-Krishna Kripa
West
Bengal
Governor
CV
Ananda
Bose
praised
Chief
Minister
Mamata
Banerjee
as
a
visionary
leader,
highlighting
the
achievements
of
the
state
government
over
the
past
year.
During
his
address
at
the
budget
session’s
opening,
he
lauded
the
success
of
the
Bengal
Global
Business
Summit.
Bose
expressed
confidence
that
proposed
investments
would
enhance
economic
activity
and
create
jobs
for
Bengal’s
youth.
image
Bose
emphasised
that
law
and
order
in
West
Bengal
had
remained
peaceful
over
the
past
year.
He
noted
that
212
agreements
and
letters
of
intent
were
signed
during
the
business
summit,
with
investment
proposals
amounting
to
Rs
4,40,595
crore.
These
investments
are
expected
to
boost
economic
activities
and
generate
employment
opportunities
for
young
people
in
the
state.
Economic
Growth
and
Development
The
governor
highlighted
West
Bengal’s
progress
under
Mamata
Banerjee’s
leadership
over
13
years.
The
state’s
Gross
State
Domestic
Product
(GSDP)
increased
from
Rs
4.61
lakh
crore
in
2010-11
to
Rs
18.15
lakh
crore
in
2024-25.
He
also
stated
that
West
Bengal
leads
in
sectors
like
micro,
small,
and
medium
enterprises
and
skill
development.
Bose
commended
the
state
government
for
allocating
one-third
of
its
total
expenditure
to
women’s
development
and
empowerment.
He
praised
initiatives
such
as
Kanyashree,
Lakshmir
Bhandar,
and
Rupasree,
which
are
part
of
various
social
security
schemes
aimed
at
supporting
women.
Social
Initiatives
and
Challenges
The
governor
mentioned
efforts
to
support
minority
communities
through
education,
madrasa
modernisation,
employment
generation,
skill
development,
and
sustainable
livelihoods.
Despite
financial
constraints
and
lack
of
central
funds,
the
state
remains
committed
to
employment
generation
and
rural
housing
through
schemes
like
Karmashree
and
Banglar
Bari
Gramin.
During
Bose’s
speech
on
law
and
order
and
women’s
security,
opposition
leader
Suvendu
Adhikari
protested.
Adhikari
claimed
that
the
state
government
was
renaming
central
schemes
like
PM’s
Jal
Jeevan
Mission
as
their
own.
BJP
MLA
Agnimitra
Paul
also
raised
concerns
about
women’s
safety,
citing
recent
incidents.
Opposition
Reactions
Adhikari
criticised
the
governor
for
not
addressing
certain
issues
during
his
speech.
“The
Governor
said
that
police
did
a
commendable
job
by
maintaining
law
and
order
during
Durga
puja
in
October
last
year,” he
remarked.
However,
he
noted
that
there
was
no
mention
of
recent
challenges
faced
during
Saraswati
Puja
or
other
incidents
affecting
women’s
safety.
Paul
echoed
these
sentiments
by
pointing
out
omissions
in
Bose’s
address
regarding
significant
cases
like
the
RG
Kar
rape
and
murder
case.
She
also
highlighted
the
lack
of
mention
of
the
Ajarajita
Bill
passed
in
September
aimed
at
combating
rape
and
child
abuse.
Sources
from
Raj
Bhavan
indicated
that
changes
were
made
to
the
first
draft
of
Bose’s
speech
prepared
by
the
state
government
due
to
disagreements
on
several
points.
Despite
these
challenges,
Bose’s
address
focused
on
celebrating
West
Bengal’s
achievements
while
acknowledging
areas
needing
attention.
