WB govt to provide relief to workers, families from Bengalstranded in other states: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday anunced that her government will provide financial aid and relief to migrant workers and families from state stranded outside due to nationwide lockdown. Seventeen more people have, meanwhile, tested positive for coronavirus in state in past 24 hours and five patients discharged after recovery.

total number of people who tested positive for COVID-19 in Bengal has risen to 163. Union health ministry, however, put tally at 213 on its website."We have decided to provide financial aid and relief to migrant workers and families from Bengal stranded in or states. We are a poor state and have limited resources. But we will still help our people stranded outside," Banerjee told journalists.

She said she spoke to her Maharashtra counterpart Uddhav Thackeray after a large number of migrant workers at Bandra in Mumbai on Tuesday demanded that y be transported back to ir native places.

"y (migrants) h fault. Someone h anunced that trains will be operating. That's why y gared re. I've also spoken to a few in a group in Khar (also in Mumbai). We are trying to get in touch with m and are planning to send some money to m," she said.

Banerjee, who also holds health portfolio, said doctors and nurses are working under tremendous pressure and y would be off-duty for a week after working for a week to refresh ir body and mind.

She also asked police to consider if duty hours of police personnel can be reduced.

TMC leer, without naming anybody, appealed to everyone t to indulge in "communal and cheap" politics during crisis caused by pandemic. It has been decided that West Bengal board's higher secondary examination will be conducted in June.

" students of class 11 and colleges and universities would be promoted to next class and semesters," she said. Banerjee h anunced earlier this week that schools and colleges will remain closed till June 10. When asked about Centre's proposal of reopening just 18 jute mills in state, Banerjee said such discrimination will t be accepted.

"How can I discriminate among jute mills? If I allow mills to open, all of m should start functioning with all precautionary measures with 15 per cent workforce," she said. Banerjee said Centre and several state governments such as Punjab and Telengana, besides Union textile minister, have called her up seeking jute bags.

chief minister said tea plucking in gardens has been allowed to start with 25 per cent workforce. Brick kilns have also been told to resume functioning with 15 per cent workforce maintaining preventive protocols. state will also allow works related to land development, water harvesting and nursery.

Small works in departments such as irrigation, PHE, and ro construction will be initiated involving local workers, she said, ding that those working for 100 days MGNERGA scheme will also be utilised for purpose.

Banerjee said industries in rural areas should contact chief secretary Rajiva Sinha if y want to start operations maintaining lockdown protocols and social distancing.

She also criticized those who didn't allow a health worker of Beliaghata ID Hospital, where COVID-19 patients are being treated, to stay at her home in Nia district and warned people involved in such activities of strict action.

Banerjee said she would be provided with a flat on rent by state government to stay along with her family.

She also criticised incident of attack on policemen over building a quarantine centre in West Burdwan district.