LF not allowed to use media corner at secretariat, protest

Disallowed by the police to hold a press conference at the Media Corner of state secretariat 'Nabanna' on jute issue, a delegation of the Left Front Legislature Party today staged a brief sit-in-demonstration protesting against the TMC government's behaviour with the opposition.
Describing the Mamata Banerjee government as "corrupt", leader of the delegation Anisur Rahaman, a CPI(M) MLA, described its behaviour with the opposition as an insult to the democracy.
"The CM is running a dictatorship in the state, while most of the leaders of her party are involved in Saradha ponzi Scam. A horrible situation is prevailing in the state," Rahaman said.

"Trinamool leaders from top to bottom are involved in the scam and opposition parties are denied of their democratic rights," Rahaman alleged.
Earlier, Rahaman urged the state Agriculture Minister Purnendu Bose to take some concrete steps to revive the jute sector and protect the farmers by ensuring minimum procurement price of the produce at Rs 4,000 per quintal.
Submitting a five-point demand before the minister in this regard, Rahaman also urged him to take up this issue with the Centre immediately in the interest of the jute farmers.

Apart from minimum procurement price of jute at Rs 4,000 per quintal, the demands included mandatory procurement through Jute Corporation of India and opening of closed jute mills in the state.

Besides, the delegation urged the state government to take up with Centre for the change in jute policy to enhance its use commercially and to reduce fertiliser price.
Expressing concern over distressed sale of jute, Rahaman said, "The produce is now selling below Rs 2,000 per quintal, much less than the production cost."
"If the state government fails to take immediate action in consultation with the Centre, jute farmers will face tough situation," he said.
The minister assured the delegation to look into the matter.