Never denied milk to kid, worried only about fire hazard: Bengal min on pavement dweller viral video

KOLKATA: West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul, who drew flak from the opposition after viral videos showed her asking a pavement dweller heating milk for a child to move off, on Monday said she had issued the direction because of the risks the act posed on a busy thoroughfare.

In a video message on social media, the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister said no child had been deprived of milk, and that she had only asked them to “move away”.

Videos widely circulated on social media in the last few days showed Paul telling the woman, who said she was heating milk for her grandson, to vacate the pavement.

“No child’s milk was taken away. I only asked them to move away. The child was crawling on a busy road. This is not limited to that particular place; such scenes are witnessed in many parts of Kolkata. An accident could happen at any moment. Who would take responsibility for that?” Paul said on Monday.

Paul also said she was concerned over the use of kerosene stove on the pavement.

Opposition parties had criticised Paul, saying her remarks and directive to the pavement dweller lacked humanity.

“I have heard a lot of comments from the opposition. But, nobody went to that family with a bowl of milk. All are trying to score political points,” she asserted.

The minister, however, admitted that she could have handled the situation differently.

“I may have shouted. Perhaps, I should have spoken a little more softly and explained the matter better,” Paul said.

She maintained that footpaths should remain accessible to pedestrians irrespective of their economic status.

“Footpaths do not belong to the rich or the poor. Footpaths are for people,” the BJP MLA said.

Paul said the state government would continue its drive against encroachments, illegal parking and unauthorised use of footpaths.

“I know our government has come with a big mandate, and that is bound to be a problem for the opposition. They have an issue when hawkers are removed from footpaths, when illegally parked vehicles are removed and when people who have turned footpaths into homes are asked to move off,” she said.

“Today, we are talking about investment, speaking to new industrialists and trying to bring in industries. If those who are being invited come here and see roads choked with traffic, in poor condition and this kind of environment in the city, will they come?” Paul said.

She asserted that efforts were underway to improve roads and drainage facilities, and that the government was committed to fulfilling its promises.

“It is our responsibility to implement the promises we have made, and we will do that,” Paul said.