By IANS,
Kolkata: West Bengal Governor M.K. Narayanan Monday accused the erstwhile Left Front regime of suppressing democratic rights and freedom of the people and said the new government will work towards restoring the democratic structure in the state.
“In the last 34 years, democratic rights and freedom of the people have often been jeopardised, democratic organisations functioned under heavy odds in the last regime. There have been numerous complaints by political parties, democratic organisations and the people of wrong doings by the government machinery,” Narayanan said.
“The new government is committed to restoring democracy and providing good governance, ” the governor said, addressing the newly constituted state assembly. The Trinamool Congress-Congress combine are ruling the state.
He said the police would be directed to act impartially while safeguarding the democratic rights of the people and freedom of the individual. The government will also speed up measures for the release of political prisoners.
The government will investigate political murders; death in custody and torture of people under the last regime, said the governor.
Narayanan also praised the new government for its initiatives.
“The government has already started to work on the promises it has made to the public. Apart from setting up a committee for the release of political prisoners and undertrials against whom charges are unproven, an expert committee has also been formed to formulate land policy for the return of land to the farmers in Singur, besides ensuring payment of salary to teachers on the first day of the month.”
The governor hoped that in spite of inheriting a “gigantic” financial burden, the new government would be able to restore the state’s financial health.
On the economic front, the governor said: “The government will also undertake measures to generate employment. It will also create an employment bank. The government will work towards settling industrial unrest and solve industrial problems through talks.”
“It will also encourage entrepreneurs to set up industry in the state. Special emphasis will be given for the development and growth of Information and Technology industry as well as tourism industry.”
Turning to education, Narayanan said that the government would strive to improve the primary education set-up. “Problems of the teaching staff will be looked at seriously and it would be ensured that they get their salaries regularly.”
“The government will also work towards the uplift of religious minorities, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Their economic, social, cultural and academic rights would be safeguarded as per the provisions of the constitution,” added Narayanan.