Group D Jobs for Stampede Victims, Political Ban for New Teachers: WB CM
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announces Group D jobs for stampede victims and new political restrictions for future teachers.
In a series of significant announcements, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari revealed that the state cabinet has approved two major decisions aimed at providing social relief and reforming the education sector. The most poignant of these measures focuses on the families devastated by the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal stampede, a tragedy that resulted in 19 deaths.
Support for Stampede Victims
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that the state government is committed to supporting those who lost loved ones during the festive celebrations. To provide long-term financial security, the West Bengal Cabinet has decided to offer permanent Group D government employment to one member of every family affected by the stampede.
This move follows an earlier government announcement which promised a compensation package of Rs 25 lakh and a job for the kin of each person who perished in the incident.
New Restrictions for Teachers
Turning to governance and education, the Chief Minister announced a pivotal change in the recruitment rules for educators. The cabinet has approved an amendment to the School Service Commission (SSC) rules, which will now prohibit newly recruited teachers from engaging in direct political activities.
Adhikari clarified the scope of this new regulation to avoid confusion among existing staff:
- Applicability: The ban on direct political participation applies only to teachers recruited in the future under the current government.
- Existing Staff: Teachers who are currently involved in politics will not be affected by this amendment.
Financial Allegations Against Former Leadership
Beyond the cabinet decisions, the Chief Minister launched a scathing attack on former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former minister Indranil Sen. Adhikari raised serious allegations regarding financial irregularities and the accumulation of wealth over several decades.
Specifically, the Chief Minister alleged that a sum of Rs 30 lakh was transferred from Indranil Sen's account into the personal bank account of Mamata Banerjee. He further claimed that Sen, who was initially groomed by the CPI(M) and later elevated by Mamata Banerjee, acquired substantial assets during both administrations, including the construction of a farmhouse in Hooghly.
"Ask the investigating officer about this. It is not my role to interfere in the investigation. My responsibility is to ensure that the police take action against those for whom there is evidence," Adhikari remarked.