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The ongoing conflict between the West Bengal government and the central government has taken a new turn, with the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, rejecting the claims made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs). Banerjee, in her letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had accused the central government of failing to adequately support the establishment and operation of these courts, which are crucial for speedy justice in cases of sexual violence against women and children.
Devi's response, however, paints a different picture. She alleges that Banerjee's claims are 'factually incorrect' and seem to be an attempt to 'cover up the delay in operationalising FTSCs' in West Bengal. This accusation stems from the discrepancies in the information provided by the West Bengal government and the data obtained by the Centre. According to Devi, while the Calcutta High Court reports that West Bengal has established 88 FTCs (Fast Track Courts), these courts are not the same as the FTSCs covered under the central government's scheme. This distinction suggests that the West Bengal government may have been misleading the public and the Prime Minister regarding the progress of FTSCs.
The disagreement between the two governments has its roots in the recent tragic incident of a doctor's rape and murder in Kolkata. Following the nationwide uproar over this incident, Banerjee wrote to PM Modi on August 22, expressing her concerns about the lack of adequate support from the Centre for FTSCs. However, the central government's response has been swift and assertive, challenging Banerjee's claims and highlighting the inconsistencies in the data presented by the West Bengal government. This exchange of letters represents a broader political battle between the ruling BJP at the Centre and the opposition Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, with the issue of women's safety and justice serving as the focal point.
Source: Centre hits back at Didi after her letter to PM Modi