West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Paschim Bardhaman | July 30 : West Bengal Minister Agnimitra Paul on Thursday launched a sharp political attack on the opposition while addressing several key issues, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Abhishek Banerjee, the state's Annapurna Scheme, allegations of corruption, and the ongoing controversy surrounding welfare programmes. The minister was speaking to reporters after attending a function at Narsinghbandh Balaji Dham in Burnpur, Paschim Bardhaman.

Agnimitra Paul said that the presence of a strong opposition is essential for the healthy functioning of a democratic system. She remarked that constructive criticism and responsible opposition strengthen democracy by ensuring accountability. However, she questioned whether the Trinamool Congress, in the current political scenario, was fulfilling that democratic responsibility.

Referring to Sumit Roy, the former personal assistant of TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, the minister said that allegations of financial irregularities against him should be investigated through a fair and impartial process. She called for a thorough probe into the accusations and urged Sumit Roy to surrender immediately before the authorities.

Issuing a warning, Agnimitra Paul said that if Sumit Roy failed to surrender voluntarily, law enforcement agencies would locate and apprehend him. She maintained that everyone facing serious allegations must cooperate with the investigation and allow the legal process to take its course.

The minister also criticized Abhishek Banerjee over his decision to seek medical treatment abroad. Taking a swipe at the TMC leader, she questioned the need to travel overseas for healthcare when, according to the claims frequently made by the previous state government, West Bengal possesses world-class super-speciality hospitals.

She remarked that advanced healthcare facilities are also available at the Diamond Harbour Super Speciality Hospital, suggesting that if the state's healthcare infrastructure is indeed of international standards, there should be no need for repeated foreign medical visits.

Speaking about the state government's Annapurna Scheme, Agnimitra Paul said that the administration's primary objective is to ensure that the benefits of the welfare programme reach only genuine and eligible beneficiaries. She stated that recent verification exercises had identified several ineligible individuals who had allegedly been included under the scheme, prompting the government to introduce certain procedural changes.

The minister appealed to all eligible citizens who have not yet received the benefits of the Annapurna Scheme to submit written complaints to the concerned authorities. She assured that, following the Chief Minister's instructions, every genuine complaint would be examined and resolved at the earliest so that deserving beneficiaries receive assistance without unnecessary delay.

Commenting on the recent CBI raid in Birbhum, where large quantities of cash and gold were allegedly recovered from the residence of a relative of stone trader Tulu Mondal, Agnimitra Paul alleged that the wealth had been accumulated through illegal activities and corruption. She further claimed that such unlawful operations had flourished under the previous government, which, according to her, had provided protection to those involved in corrupt practices.

The minister also addressed the controversy surrounding the decision to serve vegetarian meals instead of eggs in the mid-day meal programme in government schools. She said that vegetarian food can be equally nutritious and capable of meeting the dietary needs of children.

At the same time, she clarified that students who wish to consume eggs would continue to receive them, assuring that the option of providing eggs would remain available. According to the minister, ensuring adequate nutrition for schoolchildren remains the government's foremost priority, and all policy decisions are being taken with the objective of safeguarding children's health and overall development.

The minister's remarks touched upon a wide range of political, administrative, and welfare-related issues, reflecting the state government's position on governance, public welfare, corruption, and education. Her comments are expected to fuel further political debate in West Bengal as the ruling establishment and opposition continue to trade allegations over governance and public policy.