Mamata to set out on 4-day tour of Midnapore today

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will set out on a four day tour of West and East Midnapore districts on Monday. She will address public distribution programmes and hold administrative meetings in both the districts to take stock of the progress of work and give necessary directions to serve the people in a more proactive manner.

A source in the state secretariat Nabanna informed that Banerjee is scheduled to hold a public distribution programme at Keshiary College Ground in West Midnapore on Monday afternoon. Folk artistes will stage a programme at the venue to greet the Chief Minister.

There will be 156 folk artistes performing at the venue, under supervision of the state Information and Cultural Affairs department.

"We have created a separate stage just beside the main one, for the performance of these artistes. Banerjee has been the architect in ensuring a better living for the folk artistes and they will be paying a tribute to her. There will be different forms of folk music and dance that will be showcased," a senior official of the district administration said.

It may be mentioned that the Chief Minister had started the Lok Prasar Shilpa Scheme in 2014. At present, there are more than 12,000 folk artistes who get Rs 1,000 a month as stipend under this scheme.

The state also takes steps to ensure that these artistes get the opportunity to perform in the different fairs organised by the various government departments.

On Tuesday, Banerjee will hold an administrative meeting at the Police Lines in West Midnapore. She will be travelling to Digha in East Midnapore on Wednesday and is scheduled to hold a public distribution programme and administrative meeting on Thursday.

As per the current schedule there is no programme of the Chief Minister scheduled on Wednesday.