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Bengal

Bengal committed to eradicating poverty & reducing joblessness: CM

Kolkata: On International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which is observed worldwide on October 17, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reiterated that the state is working to alleviate poverty and reduce unemployment in Bengal.

She tweeted on Thursday: "Today is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Our Govt in #Bangla is committed to the alleviation of poverty, reducing unemployment, combating

illiteracy and upholding human rights."

On Wednesday, Banerjee visited the house of Abhijit Banerjee, who shared the Nobel Economics Prize with Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer this year "for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty".

She met his mother Nirmala Banerjee and congratulated her for the outstanding achievement of her son and uploaded some of their photos on Twitter on Thursday.

The Chief Minister said Bengal is proud of him and his contribution to the experimental theory of poverty alleviation would go a long way in helping people. One of the developmental projects introduced by her is the Khadya Sathi scheme that helps people from BPL category. Around 8.5 crore people of the state, including around 3,12,718 people from the Aila-affected blocks, get foodgrains at Rs 2 per kg under the scheme. This apart, altogether 3,619 farming families from Singur get 16 kg foodgrains a month at Rs 2 per kg and 8,75,703 beneficiaries from the Hills and 35,11,186 beneficiaries from Jangalmahal are getting 11 kg of foodgrains a month at Rs 2 per kg.

The 'Kanyashree' project introduced by the Mamata Banerjee government in 2012 helps girls from economically-challenged backgrounds to attain empowerment through education. Around 60 lakh girls have benefitted from the scheme.

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