Trinamul Mahila Congress will organize rallies across the state, beginning tomorrow to thank chief minister Mamata Banerjee for preparing the budget for 2024-25 that has looked into the welfare of the women and common people, Chandrima Bhattacharya, state finance minister said this afternoon.

Mrs Bhattacharya said a central rally will be held from Gol Park to Hazra Park tomorrow at 3pm.

She said never in the past such a budget has been presented that has looked after all sections of people, especially women.

She said the state government is committed to construct the houses of 11.36 lakh rural poor if the Centre does not clear the dues within a month. “The Centre had sent 156 teams for inspection. They have submitted their report but no money has been released. There is provision in the Budget to construct their houses from May, in phases.”

She maintained the state government will pay the dues of 21 lakh job card holders, who had worked under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme but have not received their dues because of the step-motherly attitude of the Centre. “As per the Act, one third of the workers have to be women, which translates to 7 lakh women being deprived of their dues by the BJP-led Centre. BJP talks big but has no respect for women and because of this those who had oppressed Bilkis Bano had been welcomed and now when the Supreme Court has ordered their re-arrest they cannot be traced.”

Mrs Bhattacharya said despite financial constraints, the money allotted for the beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar has been enhanced to Rs 1,000 and those belonging to SC and ST will now get Rs 1,200 from the present Rs 1,000 per month..

The students will get tabs from Class XI and the job card holders will have guaranteed 50 days’ work. She said under the Samudra Sathi scheme, fishermen from East Midnapore, North and South 24-parganas will get Rs 5,000 per month from April to June when they cannot go to the sea for fishing.

The interests of the artisans, weavers and young entrepreneurs have been protected too. “Our chief minister has risen to this level through political movements. She can feel the pulse of common people and is aware of their problems. Her respect for them has been reflected in the budget.”

Kunal Ghosh, state general secretary said those who have criticised the budget and called “it a move that has been driven by election and votes, are living in a fool’s paradise. Can they ask their followers not to accept the enhanced money under Lakshmir Bhandar or the benefits of other schemes? The Opposition leaders cry foul against Trinamul Congress but silently accept the benefits.”