West Bengal announces initiatives for refugee, SC and ST people.

The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a number of initiatives for the refugees, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe population on November 4, 2020 . The schemes include land pattas and setting up of cultural and development boardsin the state.

Highlights

• The initiatives is meant for all the refugees living across state. CM announces to provide around 1,25,000 land pattas to the population in the state. Out of these, State Government would also provide 25,000 land pattas to the refugees.
• Matua Development Board had newly constituted for which Rs 10 cores has been allocated. Matuas have been referred to as the Dalit refuges from Bangladesh. These populations are spread over 50 Assembly seats in West Bengal.
• Further, the government have created a development and cultural boards for the three ST communities in the state. The three ST communities are- Bauri (Dhule), Majhis and Bagdis. This board is being constituted in order to preserve their cultural heritage.
• Also, a community hall will be constructed for the Chau dancers of Purulia.
• Dhokra artists would be brought under the Swastiya Sathi Scheme.
• Also, Loans will be facilitated to two lakh people through cooperative banks in order to buy two wheelers.

Swastiya Sathi Scheme

The Swastiya Sathi Scheme was launched in 2016. The scheme has benefited around 50 lakh families since it has been launched. The scheme provides health insurance of up to Rs 1.5 lakh per annum. The scheme covers the diseases like cancer, cardiothoracic surgeries, neuro surgeries, blood disorders and liver disorders. The scheme is entirely funded by the State Government of West Bengal.