‘Answer to VB-G RAM G Bill’: Mamata announces Karmashree scheme will be renamed after Mahatma Gandhi
The Bengal Chief Minister addressed the state’s Business Conclave, stating, ‘...what Bengal has achieved, no one else can. Show me one other place that provides 95 social security schemes for the poor, from birth to death’
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday criticised the Centre for what she called the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the rural employment guarantee scheme, and announced that the state’s Karmashree scheme would be renamed in honour of Gandhi.
In the ongoing winter session of Parliament, the Lok Sabha passed the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill on Thursday. The Bill seeks to replace the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA), which ensures 100 days of employment in rural areas.
Addressing the state government’s Business Conclave, Banerjee said, “The removal of Gandhiji’s name fills me with deep shame. A Bill has been introduced that removes the name of Mahatma Gandhi from MGNREGA. Are we now forgetting even the Father of the Nation? We have therefore decided to rename our Karmashree scheme after Mahatma Gandhi. We seek nothing except respect. And if some do not know how to honour Mahatma Gandhi, we will demonstrate what true respect means.”
She added, “I want PM Modi to live a long life. But, please don’t do anything wrong that might give you a befitting reply in the future. Please remember, if we are one, our country is strong. Division is not the solution.”
Targeting the BJP without naming it, Banerjee said, “According to Niti Aayog, our government generated two crore jobs. We also reduced unemployment by 40 percent. Don’t you think it is enough pride for each and everybody who are defaming Bengal only for political purposes? Please see how we can develop. Instead of being negative, always be positive. Think positive, speak positive, sometimes be diligent and sensible before saying or attacking anybody. Silence is a big strength, and jealousy has no cure.”
She further said, “Some people want to defame Bengal. They don’t realise how Bengal has transformed and become a world-class destination. After becoming Chief Minister, I went to Singapore, where I heard rumours about Bengal’s downfall and lost glory. From that day, it became a personal challenge for me to prove that Bengal would one day lead the world. I thank and respect the leaders of industry for their commitment and for taking part in this endeavour.”
Banerjee assured that the Bengal Global Business Summit would be held after the elections, adding that the SIR process was currently underway.
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Alleging widespread disinformation, she said, “Bengal is a peaceful state. Yet, fake news is being circulated to malign us. On social media, images from other states are being passed off as incidents from Bengal. These campaigns are driven by vested interests, with paid individuals spreading misleading videos to defame the state. I challenge them: what Bengal has achieved, no one else can. Show me one other place that provides 95 social security schemes for the poor, from birth to death.”
Highlighting industrial growth, Banerjee said West Bengal ranked first in MSMEs and was witnessing significant expansion in the IT sector. She added that work in the Deocha Pachami coal block project had begun and that it would generate one lakh jobs.
RPSG chairman Sanjiv Goenka, addressing the Business and Industry Conclave 2025, praised Banerjee’s “decisive leadership,” saying it had enabled rapid investment. He said the group had invested Rs 26,500 crore in recent years, including a proposed 5,000 MWh energy storage facility worth Rs 12,000 crore.
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
