Kolkata, Aug 9 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday announced a Rs 10,000 monthly allowance, free travel in government buses and free medical assistance at government hospitals for ‘Loktantra Senanis’.
During a programme at the state secretariat ‘Nabanna’, the Chief Minister felicitated those 325 ‘Loktantra Senanis’. State Industries and Commerce Minister Tapas Roy was also present at the function. Each of them was presented with a copper medal.
At the event, the Chief Minister announced a monthly allowance of Rs 10,000, free travel in government buses and medical assistance in government hospitals for them. He also announced that if the person who has been honoured in absentia today is not alive, his wife or husband will enjoy all the facilities.
‘Loktantra Senani’ (Democracy Fighter) refers to individuals who were imprisoned under laws like MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) or DIR (Defence of India Rules) during the internal Emergency imposed between 1975 and 1977.
Recalling the challenging days of the Emergency, the Chief Minister said, “One lakh people were imprisoned in the entire country. There were at least 5,000 people in Bengal. Due to the sacrifices of those who spent their lives in the darkness of jail at that time, the evil attempt to suppress the voice of democracy, parliamentary democracy and voting rights is protected in the country.”
On the occasion, Adhikari also remembered the contribution of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. He alleged that in the past, attempts were made to erase nationalism, patriotism and traditional culture. Adhikari said that his contribution should be highlighted to the current generation. Therefore, on the 125th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a special committee will be formed at the state secretariat under the leadership of the Chief Secretary on August 13.
The Chief Minister also said that through this committee, Syama Prasad’s ideology and the correct history of the partition of Bengal will be included in the syllabus of the textbooks.
–IANS
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