13990 - SC verdict on Aadhaar victory of people: Mamata Banerjee - Hermann Herald

SC verdict on Aadhaar victory of people: Mamata Banerjee

December 21, 2018

SC verdict on Aadhaar victory of people: Mamata Banerjee

Days of the BJP government are over in the country, the chief minister said.

Share: Updated: Sep 26, 2018, 15:10 PM IST Source:PTI

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the Supreme Court‘s verdict on Aadhaar on Wednesday and termed it as a victory of the people.

“We welcome the verdict by the Supreme Court. It is a victory of the people of this country and we are very happy,” Banerjee said in Milan, Italy, where is on an official tour.

“Days of the BJP government are over in the country,” the chief minister added.

The apex court on Wednesday declared the Centre‘s flagship Aadhaar scheme as constitutionally valid but struck down some of its provisions including linking with bank accounts, mobile phones and school admissions. 

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12542 - Winter Session of Parliament: Trinamool MPs protest against linking Aadhaar with bank accounts - The Hindu

Winter Session of Parliament: Trinamool MPs protest against linking Aadhaar with bank accounts

PTI

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 21, 2017 16:06 IST

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing winter session of Parliament.   | Photo Credit: PTI

With protests in and outside Parliament, Trinamool Congress MPs on Thursday accused the Central government of violating people’s rights to privacy by linking Aadhaar card with bank accounts.

The party raised the issue in the Lok Sabha during the zero hour.

In the Rajya Sabha, TMC member Sukhendu Sekhar Roy gave a notice for a short duration discussion on the matter.

With placards in their hands, TMC Members of Parliament staged a protest in front of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Parliament premises.

TMC leader Derek O’Brien told PTI 34 party MPs took part in the dharna.

West Bengal chief minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had earlier accused the BJP of unleashing an “autocratic rule and destroying the federal structure” of the country and opposed the linking of Aadhaar with mobile phone numbers.

In a TMC Parliamentary party meet, Ms. Banerjee had directed party MPs to keep raising the issue to corner the government.

12464 - With "Forced" Aadhaar, BJP "Interfering" In People's Personal Rights: Mamata Banerjee - NDTV

With "Forced" Aadhaar, BJP "Interfering" In People's Personal Rights: Mamata Banerjee

Addressing a public meeting in Haroa, she said no government in a democracy can take away people's personal rights which could compromise their safety and security.

All India | Press Trust of India | Updated: December 01, 2017 19:45 IST

Mamata Banerjee said that the Centre should ensure security before making Aadhaar mandatory (File)

HAROA, WEST BENGAL:  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the BJP of "interfering" in people's personal rights by "forcing" them to link their bank accounts and mobile numbers with their Aadhaar numbers.

Addressing a public meeting in Haroa, she said no government in a democracy can take away people's personal rights which could compromise their safety and security.

Reiterating her stand not to link her Aadhaar number with her bank accounts and and mobile number, she said, "Let them disconnect my mobile. The Centre is interfering with the people's personal rights by forcing them to link their bank accounts and mobile numbers with their Aadhaar number."

According to Ms Banerjee, "They should first ensure that safety and security of bank accounts of any person will not be jeopardised by linking Aadhaar with bank accounts."

Hitting out at the NDA government, she said "There is a government that is more busy in giving lectures than working for the benefit of the people."

"The BJP is practising divisive politics by bringing in a sharp division among people directly. It is also trying to put people of one religion or community against another to vitiate the situation in the country," she alleged.

"How dare they (BJP) criticise me of being partial to a certain section of people - it is absolutely baseless. I work for all sections of the people belonging to different religions and communities and try to alleviate the social and economic standings of those deprived," she said.

"The prime minister stops addressing a rally at the time of azan or prayer in any nearby mosque. Why doesn't he follow this even during the elections?" Ms Banerjee questioned.

At the meeting, the chief minister announced bifurcation of North 24 Parganas district, whose Basirhat sub-division would be made a new district soon as wound Sundarbans in South 24 Parganas district.

12422 - Aadhaar linking problematic: Mamata - The Hindu

Aadhaar linking problematic: Mamata

IANS

KOLKATA, NOVEMBER 22, 2017 00:00 IS

Aadhaar linking problematic, tweets Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday reiterated her criticism of the “problematic” linking of Aadhaar and the alleged disclosure of personal data on government web sites. “Linking of Aadhaar is very problematic. In the name of Aadhaar Card, details have been put out on 210 government web sites. This is dangerous for individual liberty, the society and the country. All the skeletons are being exposed. Some people feel happy even after doing wrong things,” Banerjee tweeted.IANS

12418 - West Bengal CM Mamata Bannerjee attacks Aadhaar, calls it ‘dangerous’ - Times News Now

West Bengal CM Mamata Bannerjee attacks Aadhaar, calls it ‘dangerous’

Nov 21, 2017, 1:00 PM IST | Source : MIRROR NOW

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has been very vocal in her opposition to the Aadhaar card linkages and the same was again highlighted by her on Monday.

Banerjee while talking to reporters today said that linking Aadhaar is a problem as details are being put on websites which is dangerous for freedom of expression, society and the country at large.

12415 - Aadhaar linking problematic: Mamata Banerjee - Economic Times

Aadhaar linking problematic: Mamata Banerjee

IANS|

Nov 21, 2017, 01.52 PM IST

Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday reiterated her criticism of the "problematic" linking of Aadhaar and the alleged disclosure of personal data on government web sites. 

"Linking of Aadhaar is very problematic. In the name of Aadhaar Card, details have been put out on 210 government web sites. This is dangerous for individual liberty, the society and the country. All the skeletons are being exposed. Some people feel happy even after doing wrong things," Banerjee tweeted. 

A day ago, the Trinamool Congress chief had pointed to the "dangers" regarding Aadhar linking. 

"I am in favour of a unique card (identification). There can't be different cards for a person. But in the name of Aadhar card... in the modern age... the way in which details are being exposed on web sites... this is very dangerous for freedom of expression, the society, for the individual and the country," she had said. 

The Chief Minister has strongly opposed the central government's move to make the linking of mobile number to Aadhaar card mandatory and has refused to provide her Aadhaar number to the telecom operator even if her connection was cut. 

--IANS 

Read more at:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.comhttps://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/aadhaar-linking-problematic-mamata-banerjee/printarticle/61737119.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

12289 - Go slow on Aadhaar, let SC take final call - Deccan Chronicle

Go slow on Aadhaar, let SC take final call

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

Published

Nov 1, 2017, 12:32 am IST

Ms Banerjee has every right to seek constitutional remedy under Article 32 as an individual.

The Supreme Court may have rapped West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her government’s plea challenging the Centre’s move to make Aadhaar compulsory for availing benefits, but the substantive issues remain. It’s just as well the matter will be taken up by a Constitution Bench of five judges as it raises the hope that a definitive ruling may be passed on the issue, over which many are worked up due to overzealous government action. 

Ms Banerjee has every right to seek constitutional remedy under Article 32 as an individual. It may have been egregious on her lawyers’ part to have filed the plea on behalf of the state government, which distributes social welfare payments. However, the basic issue of making enrollment compulsory when there is no provision in the Aadhaar Act enabling this had to be challenged, so too the privacy concerns of many individuals addressed.

The fundamental premise behind the founding principle of a unique identification system to spot the beneficiaries of social welfare schemes so that subsidies reach only the intended persons is sound. The UIDAI may have helped the Centre weed out fraud and duplication and save thousands of crores of rupees. However, it was executive overreach that lent the Aadhaar card a certain notoriety as the government wanted it linked to bank accounts, mobile phone numbers and several other services, including granting of basic PDS provisions on ration cards, the denial of which even led to starvation deaths in Jharkhand. Whoever made Aadhaar mandatory for every nook and corner of India may not have envisaged the humongous problems of connectivity, system downtime and a slothful petty bureaucracy. 

At the time the UIDAI concept was born, the technocrats wouldn’t have envisaged what civil servants could do in extending pedantic control over the lives of millions.

The idea of fixing identity on a national scale of about 130 crore people was primarily sound, but the overreach in trying to impose Aadhaar in too many areas and giving telecom companies access to its database has invited needless vulnerabilities. 

The basic question of whether Aadhaar impinges on individual privacy — a nine-judge Supreme Court bench has held that the right to privacy is a fundamental right — has to be considered before a final pronouncement on this issue. The fear of continuous mass surveillance and profiling of people as an Aadhaar-wielding Big Brother builds massive data of every Indian’s economic situation, work performance, health and personal preferences is real. The Aadhaar law’s constitutional validity must be tested in the highest court, and until a verdict is passed it would be prudent on the executive’s part not to badger people every day to link everything to their Aadhaar, which is only a proof of identity, and not even a guarantor of citizenship.

Tags: mamata banerjee, aadhaar

12280 - Aadhaar plea not rejected, says Mamata - The Hindu

Aadhaar plea not rejected, says Mamata

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

KOLKATA, OCTOBER 30, 2017 19:16 IST

“We have highest respect for the Supreme Court. There is no problem,” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says

Taking the criticism of the Supreme Court in her stride, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday that the State government approached the Supreme Court on Aadhaar because it felt that it had grounds to do so.

“We have highest respect for the court.. There is no problem,” Ms. Banerjee told journalists when asked about the developments at the Supreme Court during the day.

The apex court on Monday pulled up the West Bengal government for directly approaching it against the Centre’s move to make Aadhaar mandatory for availing various social welfare schemes.

A Bench of A.K. Sikri and Ashok Bhushan suggested that Ms. Banerjee can come and file petition as a citizen. West Bengal had filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution.

“The court did not say it rejected the plea. It asked us to appeal individually. We appreciate that,” Ms. Banerjee said.

Individual basis

She maintained that her government felt that it had “grounds to approach” the Supreme Court. The Chief Minister said she had information that some people had filed petitions challenging Aadhaar on individual basis.

Other leaders of the Trinamool Congress also came in support of the State government’s decision of directly approaching the Supreme Court on Aadhaar.

Senior party leader Partha Chatterjee said he was unable to comprehend that individuals could approach the Supreme Court on Aadhaar but the State government in the interest of people could not do so.

12254 - In Bengal, there is ‘No Aadhaar Option!’- Economic Times

In Bengal, there is ‘No Aadhaar Option!’

ET Bureau|

Updated: Oct 27, 2017, 12.20 AM IST

In colonial India, going to prison for protesting against British rule became a badge honour—something that the great comic writer Shibram Chakrborty couldn't resist having a dig at. Later, during the Emergency, standing up to a demogogue and being part of a 'Jail bharo movement' also made a virtue out of imprisonment. 

Today, the great act of resisting the Dilli Durbar comes from Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. She will not link her phone to Aadhaar. Come what may (read: termination of phone connection). And just to ensure that the 'J' word comes through, she added the Trinamool Congress will protest "even if all its party leaders are sent to jail'. 

A plea has been moved in the Supreme Court challenging a Telecom Department notification on linking mobile numbers with Aadhaar, and there are genuine concerns of such an 'enforced' linkage. But Banerjee’s 'There is No Aadhaar Option!' seems to be her 'Go Back Simon!'. 

No one likes being told to do anything without a satisfactory explanation. Actually, that is not true for many whose idea of loyalty can take on lemming-like characteristics.

But Banerjee's bhakts could now follow their leader and make Aadhaar what 'neo-imperial America' was once for Bengal's Left Front government. In the hands of Ma-Mati-Mobile, Aadhaar linkage could well turn into the old salt tax.

11916 - BJP bent on dividing masses along religious lines, imposing Aadhaar: Mamata Banerjee - First Post

BJP bent on dividing masses along religious lines, imposing Aadhaar: Mamata Banerjee

PTIAug, 28 2017 18:01:00 IST

Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the BJP of dividing people along religious lines and called for ousting the party in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. She also alleged that the central government was trying to infringe on the Right to Privacy by imposing Aadhaar on 'everything'.

"The BJP wants to divide people on religious lines. They are trying the same trick in West Bengal. We will never allow it. The youths and students are the future of the country and they have to lead the fight for 'poriborton' (change) at the Centre in 2019," Banerjee said.

File image of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. PTI

"Bengal will show the way. Bengal will give the slogan of 'BJP hatao, desh bachao, Communalism hatao, desh bachao'," she added.

Addressing a rally organised by the Trinamool Chatra Parishad, students' wing of the TMC, Banerjee accused the BJP-led central government of trying to infringe on the personal rights.

"The Centre wants to impose Aadhaar on everything. They will have access to your personal details what you say, what you do, where you go, what you eat by linking Aadhaar with phone. What will happen if the data is hacked? What about the individual's right to privacy?

"In Bengal, they are trying to divide Ram and Rahim. Ram never fought Rahim, Ram had fought Ravan. Fake Ram has come from Delhi and Bam (Left) have joined them. They are trying to incite communal passion over Durga idol immersion and Muharram," she said.

Reacting to the RSS-BJP's charge of appeasement politics being pursued by the state government by deciding not to allow immersion of Durga idols on the day of Muharram on 1 October, she said, "What is the harm in it? The immersion will be allowed on 2,3, and 4 October."

"Don't we have any duty towards the minority community? We don't believe in pursuing the politics of divide and rule. In our culture, immersion never happens on Ekadashi. Why is the BJP so insistent on having immersion on that day?" she said.

Banerjee also took a jibe at the BJP government in Haryana for its failure to tackle the violence in Panchkula following the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, saying "They can't tackle the incidents in Panchkula and they are giving us lecture on law and order. They can't manage crib deaths in Uttar Pradesh either."

Published Date: Aug 28, 2017 06:01 pm | Updated Date: Aug 28, 2017 06:01 pm

11805 - From ‘Inspector Raj’ To ‘Super Dictatorship’, Terms Mamata Banerjee Used To Describe Modi Govt - Scoop Whoop

Aug 19, 2017 at 18:00

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From ‘Inspector Raj’ To ‘Super Dictatorship’, Terms Mamata Banerjee Used To Describe Modi Govt

by Susmita Pakrasi

News > India

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday  coined an interesting term to describe the Narendra Modi government. "Super dictatorship is going on (in the country). If somebody says anything, they (the Centre) will send the ED, or CBI or IT to their homes. All are scared of that," Banerjee said criticising the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, at an interactive session hosted by a news channel. 

This is not the first time that the West Bengal CM has used some pretty strong terms to describe the Modi government. In previous occasions, she used terms like "inspector raj" and "extortion" to describe Modi's governance. 

Here is a refresher course for you:

"This is a government of agencies, by agencies, for agencies"

In an recent interview with the Indian Express, Mamata Banerjee said, "People are saying that it is a government of the agencies, by the agencies for the agencies. Because people are scared and afraid. Why will I be afraid, you tell me? If I am in politics, if I am in a democratic movement, I shouldn’t be scared, no? It is my birthright, it is my political right, it is my democratic right, it is my constitutional right…that I must open my mouth…my voice…I can raise my voice. But why, if someone raises their voice, their voice will just be curbed through agencies — this is not proper. Because today someone maybe in government, tomorrow they may not be. This creates a new precedent."

"GST and demonetisation are biggest scams of Narendra Modi government"

Mamata Banerjee slammed the Narendra Modi government, saying demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) are the “biggest scams”. “Demonetisation and GST biggest scams. We will not bow down our head, we will be happy to go to jail,” she said, reports Financial Express.

"Inspector Raj is back"

Hours before the midnight roll out of GST, Mamata Banerjee slammed the Narendra Modi government for keeping the “arrest clause” in GST and said this would bring back “the mockery of Inspector Raj”, reports The Indian Express.

“I am shocked to find that the GST rules contain a rather draconian arrest clause, which can lead to major harassment of businesses, particularly the small and medium, with some sections even being non-bailable too. Given the atmosphere in the country of vindictively targeting anyone who dares to disagree with the Central Government, I am deeply concerned that the arrest clause in GST may well be used to target business leaders who raise their voice of dissent on any policy matter or any practices,” Mamata wrote on her Facebook page.

“At the stroke of midnight on 14th August, 1947, India won her freedom. Now, at the midnight of 30th June, 2017, freedom and democracy stand to face grave danger. The mockery of Inspector Raj is back,” she added.

"In the name of Aadhaar, privacy is being lost and there is extortion"

Mamata Banerjee slammed Narendra Modi's government at centre for implementing Aadhaar cards at primary school level and ICDS centre. "Now even infants (0-5 years) will need Aadhaar cards? Aadhaar card for mid-day meals and ICDS? Shocking! 100 Days’ Work also not spared. In the name of Aadhaar, privacy is being lost and there is extortion. Why is this government so negative? As a nation, we must condemn this," she added, reports Economic Times.

Modi government is 'bulldozing federal structure' of the government 

Mamata Banerjee accused Narendra Modi government of bulldozing the federal structure in the country and said she would seek the President’s opinion on the issue. “Modi government is bulldozing the federal structure and violating Constitution. It is interfering in the functioning of the state governments. We will seek the opinion of the President,” Banerjee told reporters.

10881 - In the name of Aadhaar, privacy is being lost and there is extortion: Mamata Banerjee - Economic Times

In the name of Aadhaar, privacy is being lost and there is extortion: Mamata Banerjee

By ET Bureau | Updated: Mar 04, 2017, 09.50 PM IST

She appealed to all stake holders to "condemn" such decision.

Assembly Elections 2017:

KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee slammed Narendra Modi's government at centre for implementing Aadhaar cards at Primary school level and ICDS centre. The central government has recently instructed the administration to update Aadhaar numbers for the infants. 

"Now even infants (0-5 years) will need Aadhaar cards? Aadhaar card for mid-day meals and ICDS? Shocking! 100 Days’ Work also not spared," Banerjee posted in the micro blogging site. 

She appealed to all stake holders to "condemn" such decision. "Instead of helping the poorest of the poor, the downtrodden and our favourite children, why are their rights being snatched away? 

In the name of Aadhaar, privacy is being lost and there is extortion. Why is this government so negative? As a nation, we must condemn this," added Banerjee.

10647 - Opposition protest, confusion runs supreme - dNA

Opposition protest, confusion runs supreme

Taxies parked at Netaji Subhas CHandra Bose International Airport during the Bharat Bandh called by Left parties, in Kolkata on Monday (PTI)

DNA CORRESPONDENT | Tue, 29 Nov 2016-08:00am , New Delhi , DNA

Taking advantage of confusion BJP members also hit the markets, launching 'Jan Abhaar Divas'

Amidst utter confusion, whether there is call for a 'Bharat Bandh' or 'Jan Aakrosh Divas', Opposition parties on Monday hit the streets across the country to protest against scrapping of high-value notes. While the Congress said that there is no call for a strike and call was only for protests, the Left parties enforced a 12-hour bandh in West Bengal. It was, however, not supported by the ruling Trinamool Congress which is most vocal against the note ban. Taking advantage of confusion, the ruling BJP members also hit the markets, launching 'Jan Abhaar Divas' – a day to express gratitude to people for ignoring strike. At many places, they offered sweets and flowers to traders, who had not closed shutters. Further Nitish Kumar's abstention robbed the 'nationwide protests' its strength.

The state-wide 12-hour strike called by the Left parties to protest demonetization failed to evoke much response in West Bengal. It evoked a partial response in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. In Bihar workers of RJD, Congress and Left parties disrupted train services at many places, but offices and schools registered normal attendance. In Kerala, the shutdown called by Kerala's ruling LDF on Monday was total. The protest affected the functioning of both the Houses of Karnataka Legislature, but the state remained normal.

In Delhi, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad clarified that the Opposition parties had never called for any strike, as it would have caused inconvenience to people. "We had called for Jan Akrosh Divas and not Bharat Bandh," he said. He claimed that lakhs of angry and anguished people participated in the protests. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee threatened to demonstrate outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence against demonetization, vowing to dislodge him from the seat of power if the scrapping of high value currency notes is not withdrawn. "The entire country is suffering. There is no money in banks, ATMS. So far 80 people have died due to the hardships caused by demonetization. But Narendra Modi is having a sound sleep and giving lectures on taking the country towards cashless economy," she told a rally in Kolkata.

Congress party chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala told a press conference that the ruling alliance was not able to fathom the pain and anger of 125 crore. More than 20,000 beating 'thalis' thronged a march organised by Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken in the evening from the Mandi House to Jantar Mantar. Surjewala released a list of rules and directives on demonetization changed 105 times in the last 19 days to point out how the entire country has left the country confused.

He said entire informal sector comprising of 90% of India is in deep distress. There are only 2.4 crore credit card holders and 9 crore debit card holders in and many these are held in multiples by one person. As per the RBI figures of June, 2016, there were 48 crore transactions worth Rs2293 crore through these cards. While mobile wallets have grown by 500%, after the demonetization, the amount transacted has been only Rs11,000 crore, a miniscule figure compared to the cash withdrawn, Surjiwala said.

In support

Notwithstanding, the Opposition protests, Nandan Nilekani, who was head of previous UPA government's Aadhaar project, supported the government's ban on high-value notes. He said while the credit for creating the Aadhaar system goes to the UPA government, Dr Manmohan Singh, he was grateful to PM Modi for taking it forward. "A lot will depend on the next three months. If they accelerate digitization... long-term, it will be a very good development," he said.

10360 - Mamata threatens to protest in Delhi on Aadhaar issue - Hindustan Times

Mamata threatens to protest in Delhi on Aadhaar issue

• HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, Kolkata |  Updated: Aug 26, 2016 16:44 IST

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee calls for fresh agitation against Narendra Modi government at the centre. (Ashok Nath Dey/HT Photo)

Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee threatened to hit the streets and then take the protest to Delhi over issue of Aadhaar and against central’s discrimination of Bengal. She stated that centre’s policies are affecting Bengal in a negative way and soon there will be no other way out that protests.

The Bengal chief minister also vowed to foil the strike called on September 2, by Left affiliated trade unions, highlighting that state government would pay compensation to those whose property will be damaged on that day.

“40% of the people of Bengal have no Aadhaar cards. But now centre is making it mandatory to have Aadhaar cards everything, from stipends to students to pension to senior citizens. Scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, the needy are suffering as money or grants to them in various schemes would stop,” said Mamata Banerjee speaking at the foundation day rally of Trinamool Congress Chattra Parishad (party’s student wing) in Kolkata.

“We give three months time to the centre to stop poking its nose in our business. After that we will hit the streets. Students, workers, SC ST OBCs will hit the streets in protest. We will take the protest to Delhi. Even the Supreme Court has stated that Aadhaar card is not mandatory” said Mamata Banerjee.

Read: Mamata takes aim at DVC as six Bengal districts go under water

The Bengal chief minister lambasted the centre over issues of Aadhaar card, turning off the tap of central support in many of welfare schemes. She said that it was centre’s responsibility to ensure that people in Bengal get Aadhaar card, in which it failed.

“Why is Narendra Modi trying to deprive Bengal and save money? Is it because he wants to buy another new suit and set another Guinness record,” said The Bengal chief minister taking a dig at the Prime ministers suit with his name imprinted.

Mamata Banerjee also targeted CPIM and Congress and vowed to foil the upcoming nationwide general strike called by seventeen parties led by Left trade unions on September 2.

“We will not allow a bandh in Bengal. Why will there be a waste of Crores of rupees? CPIM and Congress are brothers and they both are trying to paralyse the state during the bandh day. But we will not tolerate that. Businessmen whose property will be targeted will be compensated by the government and police action against bandh supporters,” said Mamata Banerjee.

Read: Mamata says Modi govt bulldozing federal structure, BJP hits back

The chief minister also took a dig at CPIM and Congress leaders stating that they now only exit in television studious.

Mamata Banerjee also lamented the fact that opposition leaders and slowing development initiatives by approaching courts at the drop of a hat.

“The process of recruitment of 65,000 teaching posts in the state is ready. But we are helpless if they (opposition) go to court at the drop of a hat. We are awaiting courts verdict,” said the chief minister.

10264 - Centre destroying federalism: Mamata - Statesman

Centre destroying federalism: Mamata

IANS

| Kolkata | 21 July, 2016

Read more at http://www.thestatesman.com/news/bengal/centre-destroying-federalism-mamata/155489.html#Pgm2wFzqhzoMiRtE.99

Accusing the Centre of destroying federalism and pushing the states towards destruction, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday ridiculed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking credit for development carried out by her government.

Addressing a mammoth rally in the city, the Trinamool Congress supremo also accused the Modi government of unleashing central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Department (ED) that, she said, led to over 80,000 industrialists leaving the country.

"The Centre is interfering in everything. It is destroying the federal structure. We too are an elected government and the Constitution has specified both the Centre and the state's roles. But they are interfering in our working and constantly threatening us," Banerje said.

"Because of the Centre's erroneous polices, the states have been pushed towards destruction. The Centre must remember that it is because of the states that the Centre is existing," said Banerjee.

Taking a jibe at Modi's pet schemes, including the 'Swachh Bharat' campaign, the Trinamool chief claimed that funding for most of the central schemes has either been stopped or the state's responsibilities increased.

"They (Centre) are doing nothing, but taking credit for everything through advertisements. It is the state government which is carrying out development, but the entire credit is going to Modi," Banerjee said.

"Modi keeps talking about 'Swachh Bharat', but where is the cleanliness? The cleanliness is only in the advertisements. When it comes to actual work, it is Bengal. Four of our districts are leading the country in cleanliness," she said.

"Their MPs are adopting only a few villages under the Adarsh Gram Yojana, but it is being projected as if they have adopted all the villages. This is nothing but fooling the people," said Banerjee.

She also said that funds for at least 39 central schemes have been stopped while in 59 other schemes, the state's contribution has been enhanced from 10 to 90 per cent.

"The Centre is not consulting us and preparing the schemes whimsically. In most of the schemes the state had to contribute just 10 per cent funds, this has now been enhanced to 90 per cent," she said.

The Chief Minister also expressed her displeasure over the Centre's decision to make Aadhaar cards compulsory for certain formalities.

"At least 800 villages in Bengal don't have banks. Over one crore people in Bengal don't have Aadhaar cards. How can they make it compulsory -- one crore people in Bengal will not get pensions, subsidies or scholarship. Let them first set up banks and talk big," she said.

She said that 80,000 industrialist have been compelled to leave the country due to hounding by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate.

"I am saying this on record. If you don't believe me, go to the various embassies and find out. There you will realise that no black money came to India, rather it's the white money that has left the country," added Banerjee.

Read more at http://www.thestatesman.com/news/bengal/centre-destroying-federalism-mamata/155489.html#Pgm2wFzqhzoMiRtE.99

9599 - Regional players focus on states, not ideology - Asian Age

Regional players focus on states, not ideology

• • Mar 18, 2016 | Age Correspondent | New Delh

Regional parties are giving conflicting signals to the main Opposition Congress and the ruling BJP, suggesting that their priority is to keep their space in the states intact rather than take ideological positions. This was seen in the first part of the Budget Session of Parliament which gave over on Thursday.

While the Congress, Left, JD(U) and DMK remained intact against the government, the AIADMK, BJD, Trinamul Congress, Samajwadi Party, BSP and NCP took a line convenient to them. And the AAP has become the common target of the BJP and the Congress.

The AIADMK and the BJD have been consistent in maintaining distance from the Congress ever since the NDA came to power at the Centre in 2014, but the Jayalalithaa-led party is opposing the GST Bill. On the other hand, the BJD remained with the Opposition on the Aadhaar bill for some time.

The Samajwadi Party and the BSP, which had backed the Manmohan Singh government for nearly 10 years unconditionally — from 2004 to 2014 — are not bitter towards the Narendra Modi government except on issues of OBCs. Although they support the GST Bill, their priority is to protect their space in Uttar Pradesh and check the BJP and Congress from making inroads into their support base.

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamul Congress is distancing itself from the Sonia Gandhi-led party after remaining with it in Parliament for nearly two years. The Congress’ growing proximity to the Left could push the Trinamul towards the BJP after the Assembly elections.

The NCP, which is supporting the GST Bill and Aadhaar, wants to cooperate with the Centre on national and developmental issues, but in Maharashtra it is against the BJP-led government.

The Shiv Sena might be the oldest ideological ally of the BJP, but the latter cannot take the support of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party for granted because it had fought the Bihar Assembly polls against the NDA and had earlier backed Congress-supported nominees in the last two [presidential elections.

The TDP, LJP, RSLP and Apna Dal, which are with the BJP in the NDA, cannot be seen as its ideological allies.

4987 - Bengal assembly resolution against linking Aadhaar to subsidies

Bengal assembly resolution against linking Aadhaar to subsidies

IANS  |  Kolkata  December 2, 2013 Last Updated at 21:12 IST

The West Bengal assembly Monday passed a unanimous resolution asking the central government to roll back its decision immediately on linking the Aadhaar cards with subsidy to the people.

The central government has announced that Aadhaar card would be compulsory for availing of facilities, like cooking gas cylinders at subsidised rates.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee moved the resolution which pointed out that barely 15 percent of the population in the state now possess Aadhar cards.

The central government's stand would create serious problems for the 85 percent of the population, who would have to do without the nine subsidised cylinders that they would get from the government which has decided to transfer the subsidy in the form of cash to the consumers' bank accounts, he said.

Opposition Left Front members backed the resolution, while the government side accepted an amendment moved by the Leader of Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra.

Mishra said the unresolved contentious issues on the Aadhar scheme included making biometric profiling mandatory.

He claimed there was a great margin for error, as the entire process was unscientific.

The Congress members, who are boycotting the assembly in protest against the speaker not allowing them to air their views on Chief Minister Mamata's Banerjee's sharp criticism of the central government, continued to stay away from the house.

4948 - Fresh roadblock for Aadhaar Ajanta Chakraborty, TNN

Fresh roadblock for Aadhaar

Ajanta Chakraborty, TNN | Nov 5, 2013, 01.35 AM IST

KOLKATA: Get set for a fresh round of confusion if you still haven't got your Aadhaar. The decision to set up enrolment camps at LPG distribution centres in Kolkata, Howrah and Cooch Behar has been put on hold after chief minister Mamata Banerjee's call for a "rethink" on the direct-benefit-transfer for LPG scheme.

The decision to set up Aadhaar enrolment camps at LPG distribution centres in Kolkata, Howrah and Cooch Behar has been put on hold now that chief minister Mamata Banerjee has called for a rethink on the direct-benefit-transfer (DBT) for LPG scheme.

On Friday, the chief minister had said Aadhaar must not be made compulsory for receiving LPG gas subsidy. More than a month back, the Supreme Court had dealt a crippling blow to the UPA's showpiece project by ruling that it could only be issued to those with proven Indian nationality and cannot be made mandatory for accessing public services and subsidies.

The problem is, the petroleum ministry is determined to go ahead with the scheme, leaving lakhs of consumers in the lurch. The ministry insists on making the current system of subsidized gas cylinders valid for non-Aadhaar-linked consumers only for the next three months.

Under the circumstances, the only ray of hope for the lakhs in Bengal who haven't yet got the Aadhaar is the next Supreme Court hearing on November 12.

On September 18, at the first-ever comprehensive meeting at Writers' Buildings on linking the Aadhaar number to the LPG subsidy, all stakeholders had agreed to set up enrolment camps at 46 LPG distribution centres in the three Bengal districts where the scheme was due to be launched from November 1. Only 68% of Kolkata residents are Aadhaar-registered and, according to data available with the oil companies, there are over 12 lakh LPG consumers in the city.

But now, the registrar general of India and the census directorate have referred Mamata's stance to the ministry of home affairs, along with similar views aired by Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa (she has already shot off a letter against the direct benefit transfer scheme to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh).

Considering the two CMs' strong opposition to the petroleum ministry's decision to bulldoze direct benefit transfer despite the Supreme Court ruling, the MHA has deferred setting up camps at LPG distribution centres, said sources.

In the backdrop of the apex court ruling and the petroleum ministry's insistence that after the grace period of three months, a person who does not have an Aadhaar can no longer receive LPG subsidy, Mamata, while saying that the Aadhaar cannot be made mandatory for subsidy, she also threatened to ghearao the IOC regional headquarters in Kolkata.

Her government is also likely to voice its stance at a meeting with petroleum ministry representatives on November 11 at Nabanna, where officials from the registrar-general of India's office and the census directorate and oil companies will be present, said sources.

In both Bengal and Tamil Nadu, the National Population Register (NPR)-based registration is being implemented through the census directorate, under the MHA. Confusion and slow-paced implementation has been prevailing as the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) - under the Planning Commission - has been entrusted with issuing the 12-digit Aadhaar number in several states.

Sushanta Mukherjee, president, West Bengal LPG Distributors Association, said: "We wonder when the camps will come up. They would have ensured maximum enrolment of Aadhaar." An oil company source added: "We are ready to provide the space for the enrolment camps, but the onus of the enrolment lies with the NPR. UIDAI has been organizing these camps, which would have gone a long way in the Aadhaar rollout. All the consumer would have done was to come to the centres with the blue books and Aadhaar numbers would have been issued."

The scheme must be implemented in 235 districts, including 25 in Tamil Nadu and 19 in Bengal.

4931 - PCC chief slams CM on poor Aadhaar coverage - Indian Express

PCC chief slams CM on poor Aadhaar coverage

Express News Service : Kolkata, Sat Nov 09 2013, 05:21 hrs

Pradesh Congress (PCC) chief Pradip Bhattacharya Friday slammed the state government for failing to implement the Aadhaar card project and alleged that TMC-led government is shielding the interests of middlemen.

"If the CM cannot explain the failure of the state government in implementing the Aadhaar project, she must apologise. But she is not doing that. Instead, she is misleading the people about the project," Bhattacharya said.

On the alleged role of middlemen, PCC chief said, "The government is trying to stall the implementation of Aadhaar project as it wants to protect the interests of middlemen, most of whom are members of the ruling party." A few days back, Banerjee had criticised the Centre for stating that people will have to buy cylinders at the market price if they do not have Aadhaar cards.

"Even before the Aadhaar card project was initiated in the state, an empowered committee headed by the Chief Minister and an Implementation Committee headed by the Chief Secretary were formed to oversee the project", PCC chief added.

4923 - Left sings Mamata tune on Aadhaar - The Telegraph

Left sings Mamata tune on Aadhaar

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Calcutta, Nov. 4: The Left Front today said not possessing Aadhaar cards could not be a ground for denying subsidy on LPG to domestic consumers, a stand Mamata Banerjee has taken. Realising that the chief minister had beaten them again in taking up an issue that will affect the common man, the Left Front today decided to protest the UPA II government’s move. After a meeting at Alimuddin Street this afternoon, CPM state secretary and Front chairman Biman Bose said: “It seems that the issuance of Aadhaar cards is enveloped in aandhaar (darkness). The Centre should throw light on this. The Left Front is strongly protesting the Centre’s move to link the Aadhaar card to the availability of subsidy on domestic LPG. In no way can the Centre deny such benefits to the consumers.” The Supreme Court has ruled that the Aadhaar card cannot be made mandatory for getting subsidy. Mamata’s outburst against the Centre came on Friday, the day the Aadhaar-linked direct benefit transfer scheme on domestic LPG came into effect in Calcutta, Howrah and Cooch Behar. Sources said the chief minister was unhappy because the majority of the people in Bengal was yet to get Aadhaar cards. Those who have got the cards are yet to get their bank accounts linked with them. Bose today wondered what would happen to those who did not have bank accounts and so wouldn’t be eligible for central subsidy. “The Centre should clarify all these,” he said.