In less than 2 mths, 2cr+ attend ‘Amader Para...’
Times of India | 24 September 2025Launched on Aug 2, APAS aims to bring local governance closer to the people and address grassroots issues.
On Tuesday, the 53rd day of the scheme, 536 camps were held across the state, attracting over 5.1 lakh in a single day. By Monday, the total attendance had reached 1.9 crore.
The state govt has allocated Rs 10 lakh per booth for local development and plans to organize 31,740 camps to cover more than 80,000 booths, including those in remote and inaccessible areas.
So far, 26,431 camps have been held.
CM Mamata Banerjee, who announced the programme in July, allocated Rs 8,000 crore to ensure the success and reach of APAS. The camps will continue until Nov 3, with a brief break for Durga Puja.
Common demands reported across various districts include improved water supply, better road infrastructure, installation of street lights, toilets in slum areas, new bus stands and local markets.
In Bhowanipore, residents requested faster blinking traffic signals, while in Dum Dum, there were calls for installing CCTV cameras to enhance local security. In Kalyani, citizens asked for more parks and dedicated seating areas for the elderly.
In some urban wards, the focus remained on improving sanitation and flood management.
The attendance had reached the 1-crore mark by Aug 28, prompting Banerjee to post on X: "This unprecedented and spontaneous participation of common men and women of Bengal in this socio-economic development initiative has further strengthened and added more life to the prevailing democratic and participatory good governance culture in this state."
Experts said the Bengal govt's focus on participatory governance is expected to benefit TMC in the assembly polls. APAS stood as a notable example of participatory governance, where community-specific issues were identified and addressed, they said.
