Won’t Let the Announcement of 2 Lakh Rupees Assistance for 95 Lakh Ultra-Poor Families Turn into Empty Promises
Patna, July 18, 2024
Post-elections, oppression, widespread violence, and crime against Dalits, the poor, women, and minorities have reached their peak, and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar must answer for it. He has been ruling Bihar for 20 years. Development and good governance used to be his main promotional agendas. But the series of collapsing bridges reveals the truth of massive loot and corruption, while the alarming and continuous criminal incidents have demolished the image of good governance and development built around him. These were the remarks of CPIML General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya at a press conference held in Patna on 18 July.
Alongside him at the press conference were CPIML politburo member Dhirendra Jha, AIPWA General Secretary Meena Tiwari, Legislative Council member Shashi Yadav, and MLAs Virendra Prasad Gupta and Gopal Ravidas. They said that the brutal murder of VIP chief Mukesh Sahani's father was shocking. On July 17, they visited Darbhanga to meet Mukesh Sahani and expressed condolences.
The CPIML General Secretary further said that after the socio-economic survey, a continuous movement will be launched regarding Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s announcement of 2 lakh rupees assistance for nearly 95 lakh poor families. Under the “haq do, wada nibhao" campaign, they will ensure that it doesn’t become another empty promise like Prime Minister Modi’s 15 lakh rupees promise.
In fact, these 95 lakh families are not just poor but extremely poor, with a monthly income of less than 6000 rupees. So far, no progress has been made in this direction. An income certificate below 72000 rupees is required for the application, but a certificate below 1 lakh rupees is not being issued by the state government. In such a situation, extremely poor families cannot even apply. In August, village meetings will be organised to mobilise the poor. From August 21 to 23, protests will be organised at block headquarters across Bihar to demand income certificates for the poor.
This election's mandate is against bulldozer rule, but the same things are happening in Bihar. People who have been settled on land for years are being evicted, and even those who have received land deeds are being evicted. CPIML will build a broad movement against this conspiracy. Despite various announcements, a large population has not received permanent housing.
Along with the poor, issues related to development, farmers, women, students, and youth will be part of this public dialogue, which will also include issues of the Constitution and democracy. The main issues of public dialogue will be 5 decimals of land for the landless, permanent housing for all, MSP guarantee, irrigation facilities, agricultural development, schemes for workers and women, employment, migration, education, health, roads, and rural development.
The BJP has linked the word 'murder' with the Constitution. Is the Constitution not alive in the country? This in itself is a significant threat to the Constitution. We will continue the discourse on the Constitution and democracy. Our effort will be to maintain public awareness and vigilance.
During the legislative session from July 22 to 26, issues such as the NEET scam, fraud and sexual exploitation of girls in Muzaffarpur, cooks, the series of bridge collapses in the state, and post-election violence will be prominently raised. On July 23, AISA, on July 24, Bihar State School Cook Association, and on July 25, AIARLA will hold protests at the Legislative Assembly. On July 19, the Kisan Mahasabha will organise a program at all block headquarters in Bihar demanding 24-hour electricity for farming and water in canals.
