Shyam Das, Asansol: 'If you indulge in extortion, I will not be able to save you'—with this stern message, state minister Agnimitra Paul addressed party workers and officials while standing on the soil of Burnpur. In the political scenario following the assembly elections, the leadership is now taking very strict and specific steps to increase organisational strength and bridge the gap between the party and the general public. With this objective, state minister for Municipal Affairs and Urban Development, Agnimitra Paul, held a high-level organisational meeting with mandal-level leaders and workers of her Asansol South assembly constituency at Bharati Bhavan in Burnpur on Monday. The main topics of discussion in today's meeting were the daily problems of the common people, the proper implementation of various government schemes, and the social responsibility of party workers.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Agnimitra Paul stated that due to election-related engagements and subsequent political transitions, it had not been possible to hold regular organisational meetings with responsible workers at various levels. Therefore, this initiative has now been undertaken to strengthen the organisational foundation down to the grassroot level of the party and to assign specific responsibilities to every worker. Detailed discussions were held in today's meeting regarding the grievances and complaints of the local common people and whether government services are properly reaching their doorsteps.
On this day, the minister's clear directive to the workers was that instead of merely sitting in offices, every party worker must go door-to-door to listen to the problems of the common people. In particular, it must be verified whether ordinary people are properly receiving various welfare schemes of the central and state governments, such as the Annapurna scheme or other assistance. Additionally, she directed them to identify basic problems such as the local drinking water crisis, dilapidated roads, inadequate street lights, or poor drainage systems and promptly bring them to the notice of the administration. Furthermore, if ordinary people have any resentment or problems regarding local health centres, primary schools, and other government services, they have been asked to bring it to the attention of the concerned department and arrange for a swift solution.
Special emphasis was laid in the meeting on public health and civic services such as drinking water supply, garbage removal, drainage, and road infrastructure. To make the party's communication with the common people more intimate and robust, Agnimitra Paul gave an innovative suggestion to distribute helpline numbers or contact numbers of specific representatives of local hospitals, police stations, and other emergency services door-to-door. As a result, common people will be able to easily receive administrative assistance in times of danger.
However, the biggest attraction and centre of discussion of this organisational meeting was the minister's unambiguous and stern warning against extortion and various illegal activities. The minister made it very clear to the party workers that if anyone is involved in any kind of extortion, syndicate, or illegal work by using the party's name or under the party's shadow, neither the party nor she herself will come forward to protect anyone. She openly warned that if the truth of the allegation is proven in a preliminary investigation, strict punitive measures, such as expulsion from the party, will be taken.
Not only at the political level, but also in the interest of the overall law and order and civic security of the area, the minister instructed the administration to become active on several important issues. These include illegal constructions springing up everywhere, filling up of water bodies and wetlands, operating unauthorized lodges or hotels, running businesses without fire licenses or fire-fighting arrangements, and the rampant growth of illegal godowns or warehouses. In particular, party workers have been instructed to prepare a specific list of all those densely populated areas in the industrial belt where emergency vehicles like ambulances or fire engines cannot enter due to narrow roads, and promptly inform the administration. At the same time, she has appealed to make the general people aware of this issue.
In conclusion, Agnimitra Paul delivered the message that all-round development of the area is possible only through this three-way coordination and cooperation among the government, party workers, and the general public. This meeting at Bharati Bhavan in Burnpur is not only highly significant in strengthening discipline and organisational coordination within the party, but it also remained a manifestation of a clear and uncompromising political message regarding the conduct, transparency, and accountability of party activists towards the general public.
