The completion of the left Front Government's twenty years in office in West Bengal is a significant landmark in the history of democratic governance. The people of West Bengal have been lending their support and co-operation to this Government on a massive scale. Way back in 1977, this Government came to power following a long period of struggles and movements in support of democratic rights, civil liberty, social justice, agrarian reforms, industrial resurgence and changes in the educational and cultural scenario.

The law and order situation in this state has been consistently stable and peaceful during all these years. At times, however, some disquieting signs are perceived owing to interplay of several socio-economic factors. Although the crime figures in the state are lower than those in many other comparable states, the recent increase in crime in West Bengal is a cause for concern. The Left Front Government has been maintaining a strict vigil on the situation so that all moves to disturb public order are resisted by the administration with the co-operation of the people.

Democratic decentralization that the government has achieved in West Bengal and can serve as a possible model for strengthening our national fabric. Panchayats, municipalities and other local bodies throughout the country are required to be endowed with more power and responsibilities so that they can respond more effectively to the needs of the people. A fresh look into the economic planning in India is imperative to accelerate the pace of development, wiping out disparities between states and states and regions and regions. It may be pointed out that so far 10 to 15% of the countries population have benefited from the economic development.

Form of Government (Communism)

The Left Front Government has been endeavoring during the last twenty years to alleviate the hardship of the people by implementing several public welfare schemes and programmes with the support and active participation of the people. On every available opportunity, we have made it clear that no fundamental changes can be brought about by the State Government which has to function under the constraints and limitations of the existing constitutional frame-work. Our efforts, however, are constantly directed to extend the much-needed relief to the people. The Left Front Government has ensured democratic rights and civil liberty to the entire community. It lays stress on bolstering particularly the cause of the underprivileged, the toiling people and the middle class. With our policy of emphasis on land reforms, agricultural development and strengthening of Panchayati Raj System through democratic decentralization, we have been successful in achieving a major breakthrough in the sphere of agriculture and allied sectors. Our achievement in the field of food grains production is now well-recongnised, while land reforms programme of the State Government has radically altered the scene in the countryside with definite benefits to the rural masses. The Panchayats have been successfully implementing various rural development programmes that aim at generating gainful employment to the rural poor and creating durable assets for common benefit. Decentralization of planning through the involvement of the people in the formulation and implementation of the planned schemes constitutes a basic component of our strategy for general welfare. The State has also made tremendous progress in such spheres as fishery, social forestry, cottage and small scale industry, education and culture.

The government introduced a number of irrigation schemes for the benefit of agricultural production. The coverage of the Gross Cropped areas by the irrigation schemes was 30% in 1977-78. Such coverage by irrigation has since been increased to 50.70% in 1996-97.

The extension of the drinking water schemes has been one of the priorities of the State Government. In the one of the priorities of the State Government. In the villages, these schemes covered 79.20% of our rural population in 1996-97 against 14% in 1977. Such coverage in the urban sector had been extended to 76.64% of the civic population in 1996-97 from 34% in 1977.

In the power sector, improvement in generation has been noteworthy in recent years and more projects are on to augment further generation capacity to meet the requirements of both industrial and domestic consumers in the years to come. Priority is accorded to strengthen the transmission and distribution system. The rural electrification programme has been receiving special attention. So far 77% of the village have been covered under this programme, while work on extending supply of electricity to remaining 23% of the village is being continued.

The state Government focuses its attention on implementing a number of schemes and programmes in different branches of education sector with a view to raising academic standard so that students are equipped with adequate knowledge and skill in keeping with the needs of the changing times. Education has been made free upto class XII and literacy movement has been steadily progressing in the State through the joint efforts of the Government and the non-Government agencies.

All municipalities and corporations have been vested with enhanced powers and responsibilities to extend further amenities to the urban population. Some measures have been initiated recently to bring about necessary improvement in our civic environment.

The State Government is aware of the difficulties and constraints that plague certain spheres. A special thrust is being laid on improving conditions in the health sector. Definite results have been obtained in the transport, environment, housing and other sectors of public utility owing to a number of steps taken by the State Government.