The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday announced West Bengal Assembly poll dates, stating that voting will take place in two phases on 23th April and 29th April. Counting of votes will be done on 4th May.
Final electoral rolls of the state has been published as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters’ list. CEC Gyanesh Kumar congratulated BLOs for doing good work during SIR of voter lists, according to PTI.
Mamata Banerjee’s pre-poll move
Just hours before the announcement of the Assembly election schedule, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday declared a ₹500 increase in the monthly honorarium given to purohits and muezzins.
Following the revision, beneficiaries will now receive ₹2,000 per month. The chief minister also indicated that the state government had approved all newly submitted applications from purohits and muezzins seeking the honorarium.
She took to ₹500 in the monthly honorarium extended to our purohits and muezzins, whose service sustains the spiritual and social life of our communities. With this revision, they will now receive ₹2,000 per month.”
She further conveyed that the decision reflected the government’s commitment to promoting religious harmony and supporting traditional institutions. The administration, she noted, aims to create an atmosphere where every community and its customs are respected and encouraged.
Banerjee also emphasized that efforts would continue to ensure that those who uphold the state’s spiritual and cultural heritage are given due recognition and assistance.
She also announced that her government would begin clearing the pending dearness allowance (DA) arrears of state employees and pensioners, including teachers, non-teaching staff and employees of grant-in-aid institutions, starting from March this year.
(This is a developing story. More to come)
