Perform or perish: Mamata Banerjee to West Bengal ministers

Kolkata, Jun 3: There are better things coming in West Bengal's way, or at least the impression of that is coming across through the initiatives being launched by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ensure that the state gets good governance during her tenure.

In probably a first for Indian politics, Didi as Mamata Banerjee is fondly called by her followers has decided to settle for nothing less than a monthly report card from her cabinet ministers. The aim is simple - to assess the performance of all the ministers and see to it that they work ceaselessly for the betterment of conditions in the state.

The message is loud and clear - perform or perish.

And Didi herself has set an example for her colleagues in the state cabinet by working 10 hours a day, for six days a week. With 10 departments at her disposal, she has also asked for a bigger bigger Chief Minister's Office (CMO) and has been quoted as saying, "I wanted a larger room than the previous one. After all the industrialists also need to sit - they need to feel at home."

Her enthusiasm has rubbed on to her other colleagues as well, who are preferring to take a cue from the Didi's book and ensure that the Bengali population has something to cheer about.

Upen Biswas, the minister for Backward Class Affairs, has been quoted by CNN-IBN as saying, "It's an innovative and corporate way to perform. She has brought the work culture back to writers."

About the rating plan for ministers that the West Bengal CM has launched, Sports Minister Madan Mitra has been quoted as saying, "Yes I am nervous, at the end of the month we will all be assessed."

His sentiments have been echoed by Gautam Deb, North Bengal Development Minister who has said, "We will need to perform. There is a lot of work that needs to be done after all the work that has been left pending in 34 years. So there is a lot of pressure."

The beginning has all been very good for the new West Bengal government, hopefully they carry on that consistently for a longer period of time.

OneIndia News