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Rabi Banerjee
Rabi Banerjee

Carrot and Stick

Mamata plays godmother to scribes: Touts pension, says she can 'save' them

mamata-banerjee-youth-wing-event-salil-bera West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee speaking at a TMC youth wing meeting | Salil Bera

In what will be construed as an attempt at trying to woo journalists, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said her government would give Rs 2,500 as pension to retired scribes in the state.

Intriguingly, she said the journalists should remember that it would be her and not their employers, who would save them if they were in a crisis.

On Friday, Banerjee declared in the State Assembly that her government would take a decision to give monthly pension of Rs 2,500 to journalists after their retirement at the age of 60. She said soon officials of her government would issue guidelines and orders on the matter.

However, hours later at the Trinamool Congress' youth wing meeting, she lambasted those journalists who criticised her. She also reminded them that it was she who would help journalists after they were fired by their employers.

“Many journalists write against me and express their views instead of giving news. I have one thing to tell them: It’s me who would save them in case they lose their jobs,” she said at the meeting.

“I know different orgnisations have their editorial policies. But people who write should know that they are working under a contractual service rule. They could be fired after a year. In that case, then it will be me who would save them and would give some alternative jobs. I have already given jobs to few journalists who lost their jobs,” said Banerjee.

Then she added, “So I would ask the writers to think before they criticise me and write against me. They should know I am not their enemy.”

Banerjee had earlier in 2016 slammed Avik Sarkar, editor of the ABP group, as the BJP’s main face in West Bengal before the 2016 Assembly election. After her reelection as chief minister, Sarkar, however, stepped down as editor of the ABP group.

Banerjee also cautioned media about giving publicity to the BJP.

“I know BJP is becoming aggressive. They are coming to Bengal with huge amount of money. They would also bribe you. I know in districts they are bribing many local journalists. But don’t fall into their trap,” Banerjee said.

A section of journalists in Kolkata reacted sharply on her views. They, however, did not want to be named.

A senior journalist said, “No other chief minister in Bengal has ever warned journalists.”

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