Synopsis
West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced financial support of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of three individuals killed during violence in Murshidabad related to protests against the Waqf Act. Additionally, the state will assist those affected by property damage during the unrest.Key Takeaways
- Compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for families of victims.
- State assistance for housing and property damage.
- Supreme Court ruling affects over 25,000 teaching positions.
- Call for strategy against Waqf (Amendment) Act.
- Confusion surrounding job reinstatement for genuine candidates.
Kolkata, April 16 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, declared on Wednesday that the families of the three individuals who lost their lives during the unrest in Murshidabad amidst protests against the Waqf Act would receive a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each.
"In total, three individuals from two families have been killed in the turmoil. Their families will receive Rs 10 lakh each," the Chief Minister stated during a meeting with leaders from the Muslim community in the state. This meeting was organized to devise a strategy on how to contest the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
Additionally, she mentioned that the state government would aid those whose homes were destroyed during the violence by providing housing through its existing scheme. "I have come to know that along with homes, several shops were also damaged. Their proprietors will also be compensated. The Chief Secretary, Manoj Pant, will assess the financial damages incurred from such destruction. Compensation will be allocated accordingly," the Chief Minister elaborated.
During her address, she also mentioned the recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld a prior decision made by the Calcutta High Court, which resulted in the cancellation of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching positions in state-run schools across West Bengal. The apex court supported the Calcutta High Court's argument that due to the state government's and the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) inability to differentiate between "genuine" candidates and the "tainted" ones, the entire panel of 25,753 jobs had to be annulled.
"The coordinated effort by the BJP and CPI(M) on one side, along with a somewhat biased judicial approach, led to this massive job loss," the Chief Minister remarked. WBSSC has already approached the apex court seeking a revision of this order.
In their petition, the WBBSE has argued that until the new recruitment process mandated by the court last week is finalized, those identified as "genuine" should be permitted to continue their jobs.
Nevertheless, there is uncertainty regarding this request from the boards, as the apex court affirmed the earlier judgment by the Calcutta High Court, which mandated that the entire panel of 25,753 appointments be cancelled due to the failure of the state government or the commission to separate the "genuine" candidates from the tainted ones.
