West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said her government has created employment opportunities for 68 lakh youths besides creating 98 crore mandays in the state despite "financial hardships".
"We have created employment opportunities for 68 lakh youths despite financial hardships. We have created 98 crore mandays", Banerjee said inaugurating a host of development projects here ahead of the upcoming assembly polls in the state.
Urban development was getting a major boost with new projects, she said.
The three projects under Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) included a treated water supply project in Uluberia, an electrical crematorium at Shatamukhi Ghat in Ulubaria and a bridge over Beleghata Canal at the junction of Harinath Dey Street and Canal West Road.
The chief minister also inaugurated Adivasi Bhavan and Lepcha Bhavan in New Town, to uphold the culture and tradition of these communities.
A centre for supporting weavers of 'muslin', lightweight cotton cloth, has been set up in Krishnagar, Nadia district, as a part of Project Muslin.
Among other projects inaugurated were State Institute of Hotel Management in Durgapur, the renovated Mahajati Sadan, the decorated gate of Nakhoda Mosque, one water supply projects at Dhapa and another at Garden Reach.
The chief minister flagged off several bus routes covering the entire State and praised a new township project, being developed by a private party in Uttarpara at a cost of Rs 10,000 crore.
"We have ushered in a revolution in the transport sector. 1500 buses and 15000 taxis have been introduced in the last 5 years," she said adding "Today we have started 126 new bus routes for North and South Bengal."
"When I was the Railway Minister, I sanctioned 10 railway factories in West Bengal, besides several Metro Rail projects. The Metro projects will be completed in three to four years and the traffic problem will be solved," she said.
"We have started the Lepcha Development Board, and boards for the Tamang, Bhutia and other communities. We will set up another one for the Adivasis of Terai," she added.
Stating that Budget for the Minority Development Department has been hiked four times, Banerjee said her government has also introduced reservations for OBCs and minorities.
