PBKMS and SMS take to the streets to enforce the two day ‘Bharat Bandh’

Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity (PBKMS) and Shramajivee Mahila Samity (SMS) have been at the forefront in campaigning against the ‘anti-people' farm legislation brought in by the current political dispensation at the centre. The scant regard for the opposing views on the provisions of the legislation has led to their ratification without proper debates and discussions in both houses of the parliament. In addition to the demand for unconditional rollback of the three farm laws, the farming community had also placed certain demands before the central government before agreeing to call off the protests. The central government has not only been non-responsive but has also been insensitive to the point of obscenity when it went silent on even asking for the resignation of parliamentarian and minister of state Ajay Mishra Teni, who has been accused of targeted killings of protesting farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh.

We are observing the 'two-day' nationwide strike called by central trade unions and farmer organizations to highlight the anti-working class policies of the central government and their reluctance to address the concerns of the farming community.

  PBKMS activists marching towards the SDPO office on Monday in Basirhat sub-division, North 24 Parganas

PBKMS activists blocking one of the main thoroughfares in Hura block, Purulia

A joint demonstration in Hasnabad block, North 24 Parganas

 

Members marching in a rally in Raidighi, South 24 Parganas

On every call given by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and farmers’ associations, we have expressed our solidarity with the cause and planned as well as executed campaigns along with other civil society organizations across West Bengal.

Submission of Deputation at Kultali, South 24 Parganas

PBKMS highlights persisting local issues in a deputation handed over to the Kultali BDO

On 24th March, 2022 members of PBKMS (Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity) led by senior activist Com. Kanai Halder met Shri Birendra Nath Adhikari, the BDO (Block Development Officer) of Kultali block in the district of South 24 Parganas. The block unit highlighted numerous concerns through the submission of a deputation which led to an intense discussion with the BDO to seek long term solutions.

Members of PBKMS after meeting the Kultali BDO

                         

Issues experienced in the implementation of legislation(s) and welfare scheme(s) like Public Distribution System, MGNREGA, Mid Day Meal, Mission Nirmal Bangla, Social Assistance Programmes, PM Awas Yojana, etc. were presented in detail. Inadequacies in public health infrastructure were also taken up for discussion.  

The BDO and other officials assured us that some of our long-standing demands like the provision of new job cards for family members who have started living separately, sanctioning more tube wells in the densely populated areas, easy and quick disbursal of social assistance pensions and immediate strengthening of embankments in low lying areas will be looked into. The officials have also requested us to assist them in conducting a camp for enabling differently-abled persons to submit the documents required to access social assistance benefits. Repair and strengthening of vulnerable embankments have been promised to be taken up shortly by the block administration. Future plans of the administration to reach households with piped drinking water have also been shared.   

We have conveyed our experience in successfully implementing a kitchen harden programme in the district and have expressed our willingness to help the block administration in developing kitchen or nutrition gardens in community spaces. The BDO has sought our assistance in ensuring that mangrove habitats are protected and to help the administration in curbing child marriages in the block. Regular disbursement of entitlements guaranteed under the Mid Day Meal programme has also been assured.