West Bengal: ahead of panchayat polls, Trinamool launches mass rural outreach campaign

Claiming that 99 per cent of the people of West Bengal were covered by state government schemes, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday launched a new mass outreach campaign of Trinamool Congress to check if people get benefits from the projects.

Under the "Didir Suraksha Kavach" (Didi’s Protective Shield) initiative, around 3.5 lakh volunteers of the ruling Trinamool Congress will reach out to approximately 10 crore people of the state in 60 days starting January 11.

The party also launched a mobile app, ‘Didir Doot’ (Didi’s messenger), to record feedback from beneficiaries of the projects ahead of the panchayat polls due this year.

"We have covered around 99 per cent of the people through our welfare schemes. ‘Duare Sarkar’ has resolved many of the existing issues. The government will do its job, but some complaints have also been received at the party level,” Banerjee told a press conference here.

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‘Duare Sarkar’ is an initiative of the state government for delivery of specific schemes at the doorsteps of the people.

This "Didir Suraksha Kavach" initiative will help leaders connect with the people and hear their problems, she said.

"There is a possibility that some family members may not know how to apply. Our workers will assist them," she said.

The TMC boss, however, asserted that the campaign was not planned with an eye on the panchayat election but the Opposition parties criticised Banerjee over the new outreach programme, claiming that the ruling party is trying to fool people ahead of the panchayat polls.