2 weeks ago
BJP Booklet on Bengal Government Faces Fact-Check
The BJP published a booklet describing what the Bengal government says it achieved in its first 100 days.
The booklet lists work involving schools, farmers, public complaints, industries and border security.
The report says some claims are supported by available information.
It also says other claims do not fully match official records or events on the ground.
Government employees had not yet received the promised dearness allowance when the report was written.
A security law was still awaiting the President’s approval, according to information given to the Calcutta High Court.
Some women also said they did not receive promised welfare payments after eligibility checks.
The article concludes that 100 days is a short period in which to judge a state government.
The BJP released a 41-page booklet highlighting the new Bengal government’s first 100 days and claiming progress across several sectors.
The booklet cites proposed investments of Rs 54,200 crore and projects to revive Jessop and Company and Durgapur Chemicals.
The government says it approved Rs 296.64 crore for basic amenities in 80,375 schools and processed 49,443 of 1,28,162 public complaints.
The article disputes claims about employee dearness allowance, the Goonda Act, welfare payments and land transferred for border fencing.
The report says the government transferred 1,024.75 acres for fencing across 172.6 kilometres of the India-Bangladesh border, rather than the booklet’s stated figures.
- Who
- The BJP-led West Bengal government headed by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, with claims assessed by The Telegraph Online and questioned by critics.
- What
- The BJP released a 41-page booklet on the government’s first 100 days, while a report fact-checked five of its claims.
- Where
- West Bengal, including Kolkata and districts along the India-Bangladesh border.
- When
- The booklet was released on a Tuesday evening; the article refers to the government’s 100-day milestone on July 17 and includes events through August 2026.
- Why
- The booklet was issued to highlight the government’s achievements and decisions during its first 100 days.
Government Claims
Reported Scrutiny and Criticism
Employee dearness allowance
Government Claims
The government’s booklet says dues were met and that a 20 percentage-point dearness allowance increase was announced for payment before Durga Puja.
Reported Scrutiny and Criticism
Employee associations said no dearness allowance had been received. The Solicitor-General said Rs 7,700 crore had been released, while associations claimed it was placed in provident-fund accounts with a two-year lock-in.
Goonda Act status
Government Claims
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the law was in place and would be used against troublemakers.
Reported Scrutiny and Criticism
The state’s additional advocate general told the Calcutta High Court that the bill had been sent to the President and was still awaiting assent, meaning it had not yet become legislation.
Anti-extortion campaign
Government Claims
The government launched toll-free numbers for complaints about bribery, extortion, illegal toll collection, drugs and bootlegging.
Reported Scrutiny and Criticism
The report cited alleged assaults and extortion involving BJP members and said complaints of such conduct continued despite the government’s campaign.
Annapurna welfare payments
Government Claims
The government said Rs 3,000 had been deposited for 1.3 crore women and that verification was needed to remove ineligible beneficiaries.
Reported Scrutiny and Criticism
Some women and Opposition legislators reported missing payments, rejected applications and delays, while the article noted that the booklet’s claim did not align with the reported instalment and verification timeline.
Border fencing land
Government Claims
The government highlighted the transfer of land to the Border Security Force as a delivery on a major election promise.
Reported Scrutiny and Criticism
The report said the actual figure was 1,024.75 acres across 172.6 kilometres, differing from the booklet’s claims of 767.10 acres for fencing and another 361.93 acres for infrastructure.
Key facts
- Booklet length
- 41 pages
- Proposed investment
- Rs 54,200 crore
- School amenities funding
- Rs 296.64 crore approved for 80,375 state-run and state-sponsored schools
- Public complaints
- 49,443 of 1,28,162 complaints were reported as processed through the Aapnar Sarkar, Aapnar Paashe portal
- Farmers’ loans
- Rs 929.36 crore provided to 46,46,826 farmers under PM-KISAN
- Border land transfer
- 1,024.75 acres transferred for fencing across 172.6 kilometres of the India-Bangladesh border
- Welfare verification
- The government said around 30 lakh of 2.21 crore Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries were ineligible
Quotes
Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya
Senior advocate and CPM leader
“Ensuring national security and strengthening our borders is a top priority for our government. As of today, a total of 1024.75 acres of land spanning 172.6 kms has been formally handed over for this purpose.”
telegraphindia.com
“Public does not go by bureaucratic denominations. They go by what is happening. The central BJP does not seem super excited by the poll victory in Bengal.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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