Mamata Banerjee asks Opposition not to engage in destructive politics

KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today asked the opposition not to indulge in destructive politics.

"No one can challenge the government in terms of development. Please don't indulge in destructive politics if you (opposition) can't indulge in constructive politics," she said at the award ceremony here for tribal achievers.

Banerjee, who is also in charge of adivasi development department, said the state government was working towards building an inclusive society and called for greater role and participation of tribals in it.

"Tribals should come forward in building our society. We are helping and will continue to do so in future for meritorious and achievers students from tribal sections to produce more doctors and engineers ... Fund will not be a problem for meritorious students. We will look into it," she said.

Highlighting various developmental works taken up by the state government, Banerjee said it had already advocated forest rights for tribals to the Centre to protect the tribal society.

"Without hampering the general category we have already looked into the matter of SC, STs and OBCs. We have also started teaching of Olchiki language in schools for adivasi students," she said adding the government was committed to the development of the tribal community in the state.

She said the government had been fulfilling the demands of different communities of the state.

The government has claimed that 30,000 cycles had been given to tribals and about one lakh students had been receiving higher education subsidy.

It had given greater push for IT and would help in online public services, including obtaining caste certificates.