While addressing a public meeting at the port city of Haldia in East Midnapore district on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the TMC government over fish, the staple Bengali diet.
Speaking about the fishermen community, PM Modi said that fish was being imported from other states and that the BJP would ensure the community would be self-sufficient to earn adequately and stop imports.
“Fisheries and seafood are the strength of Medinipur. But you will be shocked to know that there is so much demand for fish. And Bengal is not self-sufficient—for its requirements, fish is imported from other states. In 15 years of rule, TMC has not been able to give you fish, which is a misfortune,” said Modi.
The PM also spoke about seafood exports being doubled in the country with a separate department by the Centre. The Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying was formed in 2019, prior to which it was under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
There was also a reference to fishermen not getting the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
“Fish production plays a big role in the country, because of the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme, which TMC does not like,” the PM added.
“In your neighbourhood, Bihar used to get fish from other states. But because of the BJP governance, fish production has increased, and it has become self-sufficient.”
“10 years ago, Assam too would import fish from other states and now fish production has increased twice the amount, and it now exports to other states,” he said.
Mamata Banerjee was quick to respond to the PM’s accusation on fish production soon after, during her public meeting at Minakha in North 24 Parganas. “Remember, we would not get hilsa fish in Bengal if it did not come from the other side of Bengal (Bangladesh). To breed hilsa fish in the state, we set up a research centre in Diamond Harbour in 2013.” “Today, remember, half the hilsa fish production is in Bengal. Earlier, eggs would come to Bengal from Hyderabad, but now in Bengal we produce 90 per cent eggs,” said Mamata while also speaking about the production of other kinds of fish in the state.
“We want the fish to grow so that we don’t have to export and eat fish from Hyderabad. It takes more money for transportation. We want fishermen of Bengal to breed fish and increase production so that they can also earn something,” added the CM.
Mamata also spoke about a card for fishermen, which is used to track fishermen if they get lost at sea in storms. “We have given a card to fishermen who get lost, the Matsya Jeebi card. We identify and track where fishermen are. Many times, fishermen are lost in storms. We bring them back because it is our responsibility towards society,” she explained.
The war of words has taken a different turn, with the BJP hitting out at the minutest aspects of West Bengal, with the production of fish becoming the topic of attack and counterattacks.
The PM also gave the people of West Bengal six guarantees if the BJP comes into power in the state.
The 1st guarantee: The PM said that people who live in fear have to go to courts for justice. BJP will restore trust, trust in the judiciary.
2nd guarantee: Transparency in governance. “The BJP government in West Bengal will function in a manner to be accountable to the people.”
3rd guarantee: Injustice to women. “Wherever injustice has been done to every girl, all files will be reopened, and action will be taken.”
4th guarantee: Corruption. The rampant corruption by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders and workers will be tackled, and the accused will be in jail. “This will be taken care of by the BJP. The BJP will not let anyone pocket the money of common people.”
5th guarantee: Infiltration. “Legal migrants from other countries will get rights (to live in the state), but not infiltrators.”
6th guarantee: 7th Pay Commission “All government employees, teachers and employees from other departments have been kept in fear by the ‘nirmam’ government. Modi is with you, press the button on the lotus flower, we will get the 7th pay commission,” said Prime Minister Modi.
The PM also spoke about setting up a calendar to fill up government vacancies on time, while promising that employment for youth will not be based on reservation, while hitting out at the TMC.