Serampore Ward 8 residents get new concrete road under APAS
The Amader Para, Amader Samadhan (APAS) scheme is a flagship campaign launched by the West Bengal government.
Soon after assuming charge as minister for public health engineering and labour, Serampore MLA Bhaskar Bhattacharya outlined his policy priorities, stressing service to the common people.
Mr Bhattacharya said the portfolio was crucial as it directly concerned the working class engaged in jute mills, jute cultivation, industries, factories, and even the public transport system. “Immediately after taking charge, I reviewed departmental work and discussed matters relating to jute mills, jute growers, the proposed industrial hub at Singur, and the improvement of public transport with labour and transport minister Arjun Singh and other concerned ministers,” he stated.
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He alleged that although the Modi-led BJP government had allotted sufficient funds to the previous Trinamul Congress administration, corruption and misuse had ruined prospects for jute industries, labour welfare, industrial growth, and transport development. “Henceforth, transparency will be maintained in the entire working system of my departments. My first task is to ensure transparency and complete projects and schemes within a time-bound period. I will personally engage in field work to achieve the best results,” he added.
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Mr Bhattacharya said he had already met Mr Singh to address disputes between jute mill owners and workers, which had led to closures in Hooghly and Howrah. Directives would soon be issued to appoint judges to tribunals to resolve pending cases. Issues relating to gratuity, provident fund, and pensions also needed urgent settlement, he noted.
He emphasised that 16 BJP MLAs in the district were working together to establish an industrial hub in Singur and other areas to generate employment for educated youth, reducing the need for migration to other states. Plans were also underway to provide soft loans to jute growers through cooperative and government banks to boost production and transform the jute industry into a profitable agro-based sector.
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