Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday claimed that the common people in the state can avail of all kinds of welfare schemes, ‘from birth to death,’ and that there is no such government or schemes anywhere else in the world.

Miss Banerjee was addressing a government assistance distribution programme at Changrabandha in Cooch Behar on Tuesday. Later, during an administrative meeting she held there, the CM also warned officials against keeping public service schemes pending.

She asked officials to involve Inspectors in-charge of all police stations in the district in disseminating information about the various government schemes and in guiding the people on availing them.

Addressing the audience, chief secretary Malay De highlighted the Ruposhree Prokolpo and described the scheme where poor families can claim Rs 25,000 for the marriage of their daughters.

The CM also asked officials to attend such marriage ceremonies and prepare photo albums to showcase the project. It is learnt that Miss Banerjee spoke of the scheme after a government official informed her that a total of 3080 families have received Ruposhree benefits and Rs 7.70 crore has been distributed under it so far.

Miss Banerjee on Tuesday asked the district magistrate to describe the present status of projects meant for the development of former enclave residents and development of their areas.

Notably, the chief secretary sought clarifications on the non-implementation of some projects there. Officials have disclosed that a major fund is being spent for the construction of the Jayee Bridge over the Teesta river, connecting Haldibari and Mekhliganj (Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar).

Authorities concerned assured the CM that the bridge would be completed next year though the rainy season has hampered work this year. Cooch Behar DM Koushik Saha claimed that 91 per cent of the funds allotted for the enclave area development has been utilised.

Traders, meanwhile, urged the CM to begin air services from Cooch Behar, while Miss Banerjee said that the state government has readied the airport, but that the civil aviation authorities have not been able to provide flights for the service.

The CM also reviewed the activities of the Rajbanshi Cultural Development Board and the Kamtapur Bhasha Academy. Banshi Badar Barman, the vice-chairman of the board, informed the CM that Rs 5 crore out of Rs 10 crore was spent for the Rajbanshi Awas Yojana. He suggested spending Rs 3 crore more for the housing scheme.

The CM further asked officials to appoint him as the chairman of the board. On the other hand, the CM asked officials to take care of the Kamtapur Bhasha Academy following demands raised by Atul Roy. The CM asked Mr Roy to ready the syllabus and text books for primary education in the Kamtapur language.

Miss Banerjee further enquired with officials about the progress report of the Cooch Behar Heritage plan. Officials said Rs 51 crore was allotted to make it a heritage city.

According to the chief secretary, all electricity wires will be laid underground and work in this regard was going on. Similarly, there will no open drainage system in the town. The state has decided to give two cities the heritage status ~ Cooch Behar in North Bengal and Nawadip in Nadia.