Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday welcomed newly sworn-in Governor R N Ravi with a pointed message that “Bengal loves those who love Bengal,” even as the swearing-in ceremony was marked by gestures of courtesy and political warmth.
At around 11.30 am, Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Sujay Paul, administered the oath of office to Ravi at Lok Bhavan. The former Governor of Tamil Nadu took the oath in Hindi.
After the swearing-in, Ravi went to the visitors’ room and sat there with his wife to meet the Chief Minister.
On hearing that Banerjee had arrived, he stepped into the hall to greet her and introduced his wife. Banerjee then presented him with the traditional Bengali uttariya and said: “Please see Bengal… Bengal loves those who love Bengal.”
During the ceremony, Banerjee also extended a warm gesture towards veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Biman Bose.
Noticing that Bose was seated in the third row, she walked up to him and said: “Bimanda, why are you sitting at the back? Please come to the front.” She then personally arranged a chair and escorted the veteran Left leader to the front row where she was seated.
The seat next to the Chief Minister had been reserved for Cabinet minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim. Although Hakim was present at the ceremony, he had stepped out briefly for official work. Banerjee then asked Bose to occupy the vacant seat and also enquired about his health.
Apart from the Chief Minister, Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and several senior officials of the state administration were present. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari was absent, with the Bharatiya Janata Party represented at the event by Anirban Ganguly.
Earlier too, during a programme at Lok Bhavan, the Chief Minister had similarly rearranged seating to bring Bose to the front row.
Bengal issues
and ADGs of the Intelligence Branch and Enforcement Branch, are also members.
The government has decided to develop a state-level digital dashboard to track real-time data on LPG and other fuel stocks and distribution across the state.
To prevent artificial scarcity, the SOP directs oil companies such as Indian Oil, HPCL and BPCL to maintain uninterrupted LPG supply to urban and rural domestic consumers and essential institutions. Priority will be given to households, hospitals, anganwadi centres, schools and colleges, and government hostels.
To ensure balanced distribution, single-cylinder consumers may be given priority in gas booking if required.
To speed up transportation, LPG tankers have been accorded the status of essential transport and police escorts or green corridors may be arranged when required.
The SOP also mandates strict enforcement at the district level. District LPG Monitoring Committees, headed by district magistrates, will inspect distributors’ stocks and address local issues.
Authorities have been instructed to curb illegal hoarding of domestic LPG cylinders, black marketing, overpricing and diversion of cylinders to other sectors. If such offences are detected, strict legal action will be taken.
Officials said tighter monitoring would help distinguish between genuine demand and panic-driven artificial demand.
The government has also emphasised promoting alternative fuels to reduce pressure on LPG supply. Kerosene supply through the Public Distribution System and the open market will be increased in rural areas, while the transport sector is being encouraged to shift towards CNG wherever possible.
The SOP calls for public awareness campaigns to discourage panic bookings or hoarding of LPG cylinders.
Additionally, the state police have launched three helpline numbers — 033-49506101, 033-35026214 and 033-24874400 — for citizens to report urgent complaints related to LPG and other fuel issues.
The government expressed hope that these measures would help resolve the LPG crisis at the earliest and provide relief to the public.