The general secretary of the CPI(ML)-Liberation, which is part of the Mahagathbandan (grand alliance) in Bihar, Dipankar Bhattacharya spoke to The Hindu about the yearning for change in the State and how the Opposition needed to capitalise on it by focussing on livelihood concerns.
Excerpts from the interview:
One of the key achievements touted by the Nitish Kumar-led government now is the cash transfer of ₹10,000 to 25 lakh women (over and above the cash transfer by the Centre). What is your take on this?
The Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had promised ₹2 lakh to 94 lakh households who earn below ₹6,000 per month but he didn’t fulfill his promise even though we (the CPI(ML)-L and other parties) led so many agitations for it. Instead, he has now announced a token amount of ₹10,000 to women in the name of jobs. This is money provided to women in a State where they are highly indebted, according to a survey by the Bihar government. It clearly reflected that these households have to take debt even for their daily expenses.
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