Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asserted the central government will support West Bengal in every way possible, pointing out that around Rs 40,000 crore has been disbursed to accelerate development projects “that were previously blocked”.
In a letter to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on the occasion of ‘Paschimbanga Divas’ or West Bengal Day, Modi urged the new BJP government in the state to set short, medium and long-term goals for development of the state.
“The central government will support the state in all ways possible. Almost Rs 40,000 crore has been released to accelerate development works that were previously blocked, including the Jal Jeevan Mission and works relating to infrastructure,” the PM said.
He said that almost Rs 15,000 crore has been allocated for railway development and Rs 60,000 crore is in the pipeline.
Modi, who participated in a programme during the day to mark the ‘Paschimbanga Divas’ at Tarakeswar in Hooghly, said that West Bengal can become a major centre for fisheries, manufacturing, food processing, port-led development, textiles, tourism and digital economy.
“The state’s strategic location can make it an important gateway for trade and connectivity,” he said in the letter.
“I urge the West Bengal Government to think about setting short, medium and long-term targets as well, such as what will be achieved in the next few years, next decade and so on,” the Prime Minister said.
“This way, we will get a realistic assessment of the ground covered and at the same time, it will strengthen the collective efforts of 140 crore Indians to build a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047,” Modi said.
Greeting the people of the state on ‘Paschimbanga Divas’, he said, “This is a day to laud the spirit of the people of West Bengal and their enduring role in India’s collective journey.”
“Today, on ‘Paschimbanga Divas’, we are commemorating an important day in history and at the same time we are celebrating a culture whose contributions have shaped the intellectual, cultural, political and spiritual foundations of India,” he said.
The PM said that through the history of the country, specially the modern period, “One will see the overarching influence of West Bengal and the great people who have been nourished by this soil.”
He said that be it new ideas, renaissance of thought or artistic refinement, literary excellence or social awakening, Bengal came forward to provide them.
“When the people of India were suffering from colonial rule, it was from Bengal that ‘Vande Mataram’ emerged, giving a powerful message and encapsulating the feeling of every Indian,” Modi said.
India is marking 150 years of Vande Mataram this year.
“I just returned from Slovakia, where Slovak singers sang this song beautifully. It highlights the global popularity of Vande Mataram!” Modi stated in the letter.
Maintaining that the contribution of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee deserves respectful remembrance, Modi wrote that at a time of uncertainty and upheaval, “he articulated the aspirations of those who wished to remain an integral part of India.”
“The decision to commemorate ‘Paschimbanga Divas’ is therefore a tribute to democratic will, constitutional processes and the sacrifices of innumerable families affected by Partition,” the PM said.
He said that in April-May this year, the people of West Bengal gave an electoral mandate, which will be remembered for a long time to come.
“In an election that witnessed a record turnout as well as massive women and youth participation, the people of West Bengal gave their blessings to our party,” Modi said.
Stating that the electors had a simple expectation that West Bengal will focus on politics of hope, good governance and development, the Prime Minister said people wanted the state to return to its glory of the yesteryears, which was “sadly destroyed by outdated ideologies”.
West Bengal was ruled by the CPI(M)-led Left Front for 34 years from 1977 and thereafter by the Trinamool Congress for 15 years till the BJP formed its first government in May this year.
Noting that this mandate came at a time when the country is marking the 125th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the PM said that he is “very pleased that in the last month, the West Bengal government has been working with remarkable speed and compassion”.
Congratulating the CM and his team for their efforts, Modi said, “It was gladdening to see West Bengal embrace Ayushman Bharat, a decision that will benefit crores of families.”
He said that equally noteworthy is the West Bengal government’s decision to fast track land availability for border fencing and security.
In his letter, Modi said the people of West Bengal have deeply appreciated steps relating to free bus travel for women, the rollout of the Annapurna Yojana and expansion of the Maa Ahar scheme.
Stating that for years, state government employees faced troubles, the PM said, “Now, your efforts to bring the 7th Pay Commission also merit praise.”
He added that the state government’s “work to solve issues relating to the Gorkha community will also herald an era of peace and progress, especially in northern Bengal.”
