22nd Jatra Utsav inaugurated in Barasat

Kachari Maidan (Barasat): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the 22nd edition of Jatra Utsav here on Tuesday afternoon.

She said the state government is giving stipend to the Jatra artistes. "Earlier, they used to suffer a lot. As they spread the message of social unity and communal harmony, it is our duty to look after them," said the Chief Minister.

It may be mentioned that the state government is giving stipend to around 2 lakh folk artistes, apart from musical instruments. They are given programme contracts at government functions and fairs, to help them to become self-reliant.

The Jatra Utsav will be held for 32 days. It will be held from March 1 at the Phani Bhusan Vidyabhusan Mancha. Banerjee urged people to watch Jatra. She spent some time watching Boromar Bamakhyapa, the inaugural show of a popular Jatra group.

The Chief Minister inaugurated 31 projects and laid the foundation stone of another 28 schemes.

She also distributed different items among the beneficiaries of various government schemes.

She inaugurated the 60-bed Amdanga Rural Hospital, where thirty beds have been newly added to the existing ones. She opened a new bridge over the river Ichamati at the Murighata Ferry Ghat. She also opened an apparel hub at Paridhan Garment Park.

She distributed tree saplings among women under the Sabujshree project and distributed cars under Gatidhara scheme. She distributed fishing boats, motorcycles and cycles fitted with thermo-insulated boxes for fishermen.

Ten new roads in different blocks were inaugurated. Banerjee distributed houses among some destitute minority women and musical instruments including Dhamsa and Madal were distributed for the tribal troupes.

She distributed Kishan Credit Cards among the farmers. She also laid the foundation stone of Joyagachi Textile Hat in Habra block and the mega power loom cluster at Ashoknagar.