Kolkata: South 24 Parganas’ Falta, in the eye of a political storm, will be turned into a model block.While presenting the state budget on Monday, finance minister Swapan Dasgupta said, “Falta area in South 24 Parganas is planned to be developed as a model block. In the first phase, Falta BPHC will be upgraded to 100-bedded rural hospital with comprehensive emergency obstetric care centre for improved healthcare facility in the area.” Dasgupta also said Falta will have a women’s college and a fire brigade.While campaigning for Falta bypolls, CM Suvendu Adhikari had promised that the block will be upgraded to a “model block”. Interestingly, Trinamool’s Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee has often spoken of the “Diamond Harbour administrative model”. Falta falls under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency.This comes as Bengal BJP backed its first state budget as an “all-encompassing” and “inclusive” one that kept promises made in the party’s election manifesto, by bringing economic revival and restoring fiscal discipline. The opposition, even while exercising caution, raised questions about the source of revenue and criticised the reduction of funds allocated for departments linked to minority development.Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, who described the budget as one that touched every segment of the society, said, “It is an all-encompassing and inclusive budget. It touched upon every promise that BJP had made in its manifesto. The party is happy with the budget and I have congratulated finance minister Swapan Dasgupta and CM Suvendu Adhikari,” Bhattacharya said.“The projected revenue deficit is now less than half and the fiscal deficit was brought down by nearly 50 basis points. Despite the massive debt, the state continued all welfare schemes and increased budgetary allocation. One lakh govt jobs will be given and 33% has been reserved for women,” said Debjit Sarkar, BJP spokesperson.Reacting on the budget, CM Suvendu Adhikari said his govt had prioritised “safety, dignity of citizens, an environment free of fear, and resurgence of heritage”. “Our focus was on industry, agriculture, employment, education and health. We responded to the call of the time,” he said and added, “This is a budget for eight months. This govt is here to stay for long and every promise will be fulfilled.”Speaking on this, Mamata-loyalist Trinamool MLA Kunal Ghosh said, “This is a new govt and we want to give them some time. We will continue with constructive criticism. However, it seems that the Centre is funding a number of projects. In contrast, Mamata Banerjee’s budget was self-reliant.”“The earlier govt found it difficult to balance development projects and welfare schemes as Centre had stopped releasing funds. The financial crisis the FM spoke about was artificially created by Centre by blocking funds. Despite that, a lot of initiatives were taken and the present govt is continuing those,” Ghosh added.At a press conference in the evening, TMC rebel bloc neta Ritabrata Banerjee said, “We will not criticise just for the sake of criticising. We will not get into why the liquor shops were allowed within 500 metres. But the revision to 1 km is a welcome step. Limiting usage of tea garden land to 15% for tourism is a welcome step. Increasing DA is also a welcome step.” However, he cautioned against policies that might favor crony capitalism under the guise of “ease of doing business”.CPM MLA Mustafizur Rahman raised questions about how the projects will be funded. “There is no clear indication how the state govt is going to fund these schemes. The amount budgeted for prevention of erosion of the Ganges in Murshidabad is inadequate. Budgetary allocation for environmental development is inadequate too,” he said.In a press statement, SUCI state secretary Chandidas Bhattacharya said, removing land ceiling may invite crony capital. “There is no specific direction for recruitment of teachers and increases in the allocation for education and health sectors have been minimal,” he said.
