Purulia, Aug 17 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced that all sand ghats in the state would be brought under a legal framework, asserting that his government would not allow extortion or syndicate operations.
The move would help regulate the sector, increase government revenue and bring down sand prices for consumers, Adhikari said at a programme in Purulia after inaugurating a drinking water project.
“We will legalise all sand ghats. There will be no extortion, no syndicate and no cut money,” he said.
Acknowledging concerns over rising sand prices, Adhikari said beneficiaries building houses under government schemes would receive Rs 1,200 towards the cost of sand.
“I know the price of sand has gone up a little. There is a problem. You will get Rs 1,200 for sand when you build a house under the PM Awas Yojana or West Bengal Awas Yojana,” he told the gathering.
Urging people to give the government time to regulate the sector, Adhikari said, “Let us regularise it. If you want money to come into the government coffers, then we will be able to give it back to you.
He said the government would provide 30 lakh houses under its housing schemes and warned against corruption in their implementation.
“If anyone asks you for even one rupee, inform me,” he said.
Adhikari also announced that ISKCON would be entrusted with providing mid-day meals in all government schools in Purulia, following a similar arrangement in Kolkata.
He, however, clarified that existing cooks engaged in preparing mid-day meals would retain their jobs.
“All government schools in Purulia will have ISKCON taking care of the mid-day meals. But no cook will lose their job. Their employment will continue,” he said.
Eggs would be provided to students separately twice a week through self-help groups, he added.
In Kolkata, ISKCON has been providing vegetarian meals to around 2.45 lakh students in government schools. The arrangement had earlier drawn criticism over the absence of eggs from the meals.
The state government subsequently announced that eggs would be supplied twice a week through self-help groups, separately from the vegetarian meals provided by ISKCON.
Adhikari also said the government had increased the allocation for mid-day meals, fixing an allocation of Rs 10 per child for primary school students.
“The allocation has been increased so that students get good-quality food,” he said.
He further announced that fans, water purifiers and sanitary vending machines would be installed in government schools in Bankura and Purulia.
Adhikari said his government was committed to the development of the entire Jangalmahal region and improving basic facilities for its people. PTI SCH SOM
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