Bengal polls LIVE: Mamata unveils TMC manifesto, promises income for all

TMC manifesto also promised to increase annual financial aid to farmers from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000. Stay tuned for all Latest LIVE updates

7:16 PM

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee releases TMC manifesto, promises income for all

Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday unveiled a "development-oriented" manifesto for the upcoming assembly polls in West Bengal, promising an income scheme for all families, a student credit card and constitution of a task force to examine the inclusion of several communities under the OBC category, according to a PTI report.

 

Claiming that her government has reduced poverty in the state by 40 per cent, the manifesto also promised to increase annual financial aid to farmers from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000.

 

"For the first time, every family in Bengal will be extended a minimum basic income. Under this, 1.6 crore general category families will get Rs 500 a month, whereas SC/ST category families will get Rs 1,000. The money will be directly transferred to the woman head of a family," Banerjee said.

 

A new student credit card scheme will be introduced with a credit limit of Rs 10 lakh and an interest rate of only 4 per cent will be charged, the West Bengal chief minister said. "We will set up 10 lakh new MSMEs and 2000 new big industrial units in the next five years," she said.

7:14 PM

Hemant Nagrale takes charge as the Commissioner of Mumbai Police

7:11 PM

National Investigation Agency (NIA) takes Sachin Waze to Mahim Creek

6:55 PM

Lok Sabha passes Appropriation Bill, completing two-thirds of budget exercise

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Appropriation Bill 2021-22, authorising the government to draw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India for its working as well as implementation of its programmes and schemes.

 

This completes two-thirds of the exercise for approval of the Budget for 2021-22.

 

The Appropriation Bill authorising payment and appropriation of specified sums from the Consolidated Fund of India for 2021-22 was introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The bill was later approved by voice vote. The Lok Sabha earlier discussed demands for grants of different ministries, including railways, education and health.

6:50 PM

Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami campaigned on a vehicle amid large gathering of supporters in Thanjavur

6:30 PM

West Bengal election: What voters want; a ground report from Kolkata

6:27 PM

The Appropriation Bill, 2021 passed in Lok Sabha

The Appropriation Bill, 2021 passed in Lok Sabha

6:27 PM

Will form special task force to examine, propose OBC status to all unrecognised communities: Mamata Banerjee

We will form special task force to examine and propose OBC status to all communities who are not recognised: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

6:26 PM

Will decrease unemployment; 5 lakh job opportunities will be created in a year: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

We will decrease unemployment; 5 lakh job opportunities will be created in a year: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

6:26 PM

Pakistan sending weapons through drones, govt tells Rajya Sabha

The government Wednesday said some instances of supply of weapons through drones from Pakistan have come to light and security agencies were taking action on it. Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said this in Rajya Sabha, while responding to a question on whether the central government is aware that Pakistan has started supplying weapons to infiltrators via drones.

 

"Certain instances of supply of weapons via drones from across the Pakistan border have come to the notice of security and law enforcement agencies," he said in his written reply.

 

Reddy said the government has been taking various steps to meet such challenges, which include round the clock effective surveillance, streamlining the intelligence set up, capacity building of forces, patrolling on the borders along with sensitization of local population in border areas, establishment of observation posts, border fencing, flood lighting, deployment and use of modern and hi-tech surveillance equipments, etc.

6:15 PM

Not a political, but development-oriented manifesto: West Bengal CM

6:14 PM

Will ensure minimum annual income of Rs 6,000 and Rs 12,000 for general category and backward community: CM

We will ensure minimum annual income of Rs 6,000 and Rs 12,000 for general category and backward community people respectively in West Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee

6:13 PM

Will bring credit card of Rs 10 lakh for students for pursuing higher studies: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

We will bring credit card of Rs 10 lakh for students for pursuing higher studies; only 4 per cent interest will be charged: CM Mamata Banerjee

6:13 PM

We will increase annual financial aid to farmers from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

We will increase annual financial aid to farmers from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

6:13 PM

We will set up 10 lakh MSME units in West Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee

We will set up 10 lakh MSME units in West Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee