NAYAGRAM/JHARGRAM(West Bengal): Promising jobs and development, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday announced an economic package for the Maoist-affected districts and asserted that violence will not be tolerated.
On her first visit to rebel-affected districts after assuming office, Banerjee held two meetings at Nayagram and Jhargram – both in West Midnapore district – laying stress on education and employment.
Jhargram is about 170 km and Nayagram about 166 km west of state capital Kolkata.
In a novel step, Banerjee announced that rice at Rs.2 a kg will be distributed to the people from police stations and Block Development Offices till a proper infrastructure was built for their distribution. People with annual income of Rs.42,000 or less would come under the scheme. Without naming the Maoists, she declared that those who wanted to rejoin the mainstream of society by giving up arms would be given special rehabilitation packages.(IANS)