The tour began on Tuesday. “For a month there will be no eviction campaign. I ask street vendors to organize their items during that period. Meanwhile, investigative work carried out by government agencies will continue. The state government will ensure that street vendors are provided with an alternative space to do business. If necessary, the state government will provide warehouses for them. But under no circumstances will the state government allow companies to encroach on public roads,” the Chief Minister said during an administrative meeting with top bureaucrats and police officers of the state, including magistrates and district superintendents of police.
On the occasion, he also explained why the eviction campaign began this week. “I am not against street vendors. But what I am doing is for the beautification of places. I request street vendors to cooperate with the state government in this beautification initiative. The state government will fully cooperate with you in rehabilitation,” the Chief Minister said.
At the meeting, he also sounded a note of caution for government contractors carrying out public works, especially those related to road construction and repair.
“Once a new road is built or an existing road is repaired, it should be in intact condition for the next five years. Otherwise, the affected contractors will be blacklisted. Illegal buildings will be taken over by the state government. The dilapidated buildings will also be occupied if they are not repaired in time,” the Chief Minister said.
The opposition BJP has described the eviction campaign more as an act of political revenge than with the motive of simplifying or beautifying things. According to Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, such eviction drives had only taken place in those areas where there had been significant erosion in the ruling party's vote bank in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. .
Meanwhile, a petition was filed before Calcutta High Court single judge Amrita Sinha on Thursday seeking the court's intervention in the eviction drive of street vendors.
However, instead of accepting the petition, Justice Sinha recommended the petitioner to file a public interest litigation (PIL) on the matter before the division headed by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam.
On the occasion, he also explained why the eviction campaign began this week. “I am not against street vendors. But what I am doing is for the beautification of places. I request street vendors to cooperate with the state government in this beautification initiative. The state government will fully cooperate with you in rehabilitation,” the Chief Minister said.
At the meeting, he also sounded a note of caution for government contractors carrying out public works, especially those related to road construction and repair.
“Once a new road is built or an existing road is repaired, it should be in intact condition for the next five years. Otherwise, the affected contractors will be blacklisted. Illegal buildings will be taken over by the state government. The dilapidated buildings will also be occupied if they are not repaired in time,” the Chief Minister said.
The opposition BJP has described the eviction campaign more as an act of political revenge than with the motive of simplifying or beautifying things. According to Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, such eviction drives had only taken place in those areas where there had been significant erosion in the ruling party's vote bank in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. .
Meanwhile, a petition was filed before Calcutta High Court single judge Amrita Sinha on Thursday seeking the court's intervention in the eviction drive of street vendors.
However, instead of accepting the petition, Justice Sinha recommended the petitioner to file a public interest litigation (PIL) on the matter before the division headed by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam.
