Mamata Banerjee announces two shifts for state employees; extends school closure till July

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday anunced two work shifts for state government employees to facilitate easy daily commute amid coronavirus crisis as well as closure of schools till July. State employees will w work in two shifts - from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm and 12 on to 5.50 pm. 

" earlier timing was 10.30 am to 5.30 pm. But w, we have split it into two shifts for easy movement of all government employees. I understand that commuting by public transport is a big issue," Banerjee told reporters at a briefing.

She claimed that unlike or states, her government was giving salaries to all its employees without deductions even as public exchequer is drained by pandemic. CM said if any government employee gets late in reaching office by an hour, penalty would be levied for late attendance.

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Schools to remain shut

In view of rising cases of COVID-19 in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee declared that all schools will also remain closed in July but examinations will be conducted. Earlier, state government h said that all schools would remain closed till June 30. She also appealed private schools to t hike fees saying, "People do t have money thanks to first, te bandi (2016 demonetisation), and w ghar bandi (lockdown). In such a scenario, we have to continue functioning."

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Didn't dub 'Corona Express'

After facing BJP's sharp attacks over her 'Corona Express' remark, TMC supremo distanced herself from term saying it wasn't coined by her but by general public which she merely expressed.

Last month, CM h targeted Indian Railways over Shramik Special trains saying that state-run transporter is providing 'Corona express' in name of 'Shramik Express'. In a sharp retort, Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a virtual rally on Tuesday said Banerjee's dubbing Shramik Special as 'Corona Express' will eventually turn into "Exit Trinamool Express".

"I never said Corona Express. I said public is saying it. You can see my original statement. I said public said and I just expressed it," said Mamata Banerjee.

(PTI Photo)

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