Trinamool on last-minute preparations for Shahid Dibas, 34 giant screens at venue

Barely a few hours left for the rally at the Dharmatala, the Trinamool Congress is gearing up for the `Shahid Shorone` (Martyrs` Day) rally tomorrow, tomorrow, the programme which is scheduled to start around afternoon tomorrow will have a massive gathering.

 People from districts and places outside Kolkata will take part in large numbers. To ensure smooth flow of traffic tomorrow, the administration has taken adequate measures. Roads which will be used by visitors to reach the venue will be specially manned by the administration to avoid any untoward incident. There will be special parking arrangement near the Ganga Ghats. Traffic Police has been asked to stay on alert and ensure steady flow of traffic.  

 Last minute preparations are on and party workers in large numbers are deployed to take stock of the situation. The high command has issued strictures that in circumstances the public commuting on the designated roads should face harassment. The party members under the leadership of the party General Secretary on Sunday held a meeting at the Trinamool Bhawan and discussed various administrative measures – those who will be coming from the districts should reach Kolkata on July 19 to avoid any last-minute commotion. The traffic commuting from the Howrah and Sealdah station on that day will not be disturbed and officials have been asked to make sure that the general commuters should not face any sort of harassment. Special protection are taken to protect the venue in case of rains.

This year Trinamool Congress Chairperson and West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee decided to hold the meeting at Dharmatala. Last year the rally was held at the Brigade Parade Grounds but due to inclement weather since early morning on that day the programme was washed out. However, inspite of the cyclonic weather the turn out was immense as they all had come to listen to the Trinamool Congress Chairperson and Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee. 

Nearly 19-years have passed and the Trinamool Congress on July 21, 2012 each year organize a rally to pay their respects to the martyrs. The Trinamool Congress pay their respect to the martyrs who had lost their lives on July 21, 1993, when the Calcutta Police, under Left Front Government mercilessly opened fire and killed 13 innocent activists. Youth Congress supporters under the leadership of Ms. Banerjee, then West Bengal State President of Youth Congress had organized Writers' Abhijaan (march towards Writers' Building) in demand that the 'Voters' Identity Card' be made the only valid document to verify voters in order to put a stop the rampant 'scientific rigging' gathered at five different points across the city. Youth Congress supporters gathered at five different points in the city and the one which had assembled at the Howrah station and began marching towards the destination along Brabourne Road were stopped by a large contingent of police near the Tea Board office, barely few minutes from the Writers' Building. An unleashed police force started beating up the crowd mercilessly in order to drive them away from the vicinity of the Writers' Building. The police opened fire killing 13 supporters and leaving 200 severely injured.

There will nearly 34 giant digital screens at the strategic point in and around the venue in order to enable masses to watch their favourite Didi.

West Bengal Food and Supplies Dept. initiates food policy

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee convenes a review meeting at the Writers' Building today to discuss soaring prices of vegetables in the markets.

Among other major decisions taken to make the process transparent it was decided that there will no restrictions in transportation for rice and paddy across West Bengal. Apart from since the West Bengal Rice & Paddy (Control) Order, 1997 was in force, hence, it was decided there will be no restrictions on the growing or procurement of rice and paddy, neither those residing within the state will have to take any permission or licensee for the same. Anybody who reside in West Bengal are free to grow and indulge in the business of rice and paddy.    

The Chief Minister announced that on the occasion of Ramzan and Durga Puja the State Government will sell the essential commodities like flour, sugar, edible oil at a subsidized rate across all the fair-price-shops in the state.

There will an additional free of cost distribution of rice under the Annapurna Yojna covering nearly 59, 968 poor people.

Nearly 3,13,558 people residing in the Aila prone areas (five-blocks in North 24 Paragas and 10-blocks in South 24-Pargans) and nearly 3,746 people residing in Singur will be given an addition tow-kilogram of rice from August this year. `I have decided to increase the quantity of rice from two-kilograms to four-kilograms for the poor people in Aila prone regions and Singur`, announced Ms. Mamata Banerjee`.

`Previously the State Government was distributing two-rupees rice per two-kilogram in these places but from August 2012 onwards this quantity will be increased by two-kilograms. This means that now they will be entitled to four-kilograms of rice instead of two-kilogram of rice`. She said that this was done to provide good nourishment as they lack good food.

West Bengal Food and Supplies department issued a notice with details inorder to inform and educate the masses. The notice `Your Rights…` informs that from October 1, 2012 onwards the Kharif season will begin and the state government will purchase the crops directly from the farmers by paying an Account Payee Cheque. The Food and Supplies department therefore requested the farmers to open the bank account `zero` balance.  The farmers may also get in touch with the Food and Supplies department in their respective districts.

Chief Minister announces names of recipients for Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Awards 2012

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee announces names of the recipients who will be receiving the Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Awards 2012 constituted by the West Bengal Government on the occasion of the death anniversary of Uttam Kumar on July 24. The state government under the leadership of Ms. Mamata Banerjee plans to honour the members of the fraternity on this day.

 Life Time Achievement Award –  Smt. Supriya Chatterjee, Smt. Sabitri Chaterjee and Soumitra Chatterjee for their contributions to Bengali cinema.

 Mahanayak Shamman – Sri. Mithun Chakrabarty

 Bishesh Chalachitra Puroshkar (Actress) –  Smt. Sumitra Sanyal, Smt. Anjana Bhowmik, Smt. Sandhya Roy, Smt. Dipti Roy, Smt. Sabita Basu, Smt. Madhabi Mukherjee, Smt. Lily Chakrabarty, Smt. Lalita Chatterjee, Smt. Mausumi Chatterjee, Smt. Debasree Roy, Smt. Satabdi Roy, Smt. Rituparna Sengupta and Smt. Indrani Haldar.

 Bishesh Chalachchitra Puroshkar (Actor) – Sri. Haradhan Banerjee, Sri. Nirmal Kumar,  Sri. Biswajeet Chatterjee, Sri. Ranjit Mullick, Sri. Deepankar Dey, Sri. Santu Mukherjee,

Sri. Tapas paul, Sri. Chiranjeet Chakrabarty and Sri. Prasenjit Chatterjee.

 Music Director – Sri. Ajay Das, Sri. Minal Banerjee, Sri. Ravindra Jain, Sri. Abhijit Banerjee, Sri. Anal Chatterjee, Sri. Debjyoti Mishra, Sri. Bappi Lahiri and Sri. Jeet Ganguly.

 `I wish I could also honour the legendary musicians like Salilda Shibdas babu or Pulak Bandyopadhyay but they are no more today. I will certainly recall their contributions and pay my respect`, said Ms. Mamata Banerjee.  

 Director – Sri. Arabinda Mukherjee, Sri. Hiren Nag, Sri. Gautam Ghosh, Sri. Brijesh Chatterjee and Sri. Prabhat Roy.

 Cinematographer – Sri. Ramananda Sengupta, Sri. Soumendu Roy, Sri. Kanai Dey and Sri. Shakti Banerjee.

 Screenplay – Sri. Shaktipada Rajguru and Sri. Prafulla Roy.

The Chief Minister on this occasion paid tributes to actor Rajesh Khanna who passed away on Wednesday after a prolonged illness. Ms. Banerjee recalled her association with the actor, `I am really feeling nostalgic today since I knew the person so closely. I had even invited him on one occasion for a programme`. She said that today the world has lost a great actor and an era come to an end with the demise of the actor but at the same time she said that the actor was unwell for a long time and was suffering from Cancer and though his demise has brought sadness yet the dearth has revealed him from the sufferings. Ms. Banerjee expressed her condolences to the bereaved family, `I know this is like a ritual on this occasion, may his soul rest in peace`.

Ms. Banerjee wrote on her facebook page `I am deeply anguished to learn of the sad demise of ‘first Superstar’ of Indian Cinema and the sensational romantic hero of the seventies, Rajesh Khanna after prolonged illness at Mumbai today. He entered in the films in the latter half of the 1960s. After initial success Rajesh Khanna achieved overnight super-stardom in 'Aradhana' in the year 1969. He won three 'Filmfare' awards. After retiring from films he joined politics and became Member of Lok Sabha in 1991. With his death we have lost a legendary actor. His death is an irrevocable loss to Indian Cinema. May his departed soul rest in peace`.  

In an re-joiner immediately after her PRESS conference Ms. Banerjee informed that she will be inaugurating `Dhano Dhonno Cultural Complex`, on the open area opposite the DM Bunglow at Alipore on Thursday (July 19, 2012). The park which is a tribute to Dwijendra Lal Roy.

Apart from that she informed that the Rabi Tirtha in the name of Rabindranath Tagore will be inaugurated on August 7, 2012


Chief Minister review price rise, holds meeting with task-force. Kisan Mandi in 341 blocks

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee convenes a review meeting at the Writers' Building today to discuss soaring prices of vegetables in the markets. It may be recalled that the Chief Minister who had taken up the matter after paying a surprise visit to city markets. She had convened a similar meeting on July 2, 2012 which was attended by representatives across 11-market associations, concerned ministers and secretaries of respective departments and administrative officials including Kolkata Police Commissioner. Chief Minister announced an 11-member-monitering-committee headed by the Chief Minister. `I have taken up the matter seriously with all the concerned departments. After listening to all the suggestions, I have decided to set-up a task force which will start functioning from tomorrow itself, the committee members will sit daily in the morning`, said Ms. Banerjee who added that she is concerned over the fluctuation of prices in different markets, `I find that the prices of commodities vary in different markets. I will not accept such practices and I have made this clear to the members of the task force`, added Ms. Banerjee.

The committee member consists of members of the market association, Horticulture Minister, Agricultural Minister and respective secretaries. They will take rounds of all the markets in the city and will submit the observations along with the possible suggestive measures to check inflation. Chief Minister informed during the last meeting that the review meeting will take place on July 17, 2012.

During an hour-long-meeting Ms. Banerjee gave a patient hearing to the representatives of the members of the task force. Chief Minister said that she was very happy and satisfied over the working of the task-force as the rates have come down after the task force has stared working. `I have told many times that I want the framers to become self-sufficient as only then they will be able to earn properly and middlemen will not be able to exploit them`, said an aggrieved Chief Minister. The state government will build cold storages across the blocks as this will enable the farmers to preserve the produced and gain good money. `We are trying to build the Kisan Bazars to make the working transparent. I am sure this will benefit the farmers immensely. We will build Kisan Bazar across 341-blocks, out of which we have a target of 95-Kisam Bazars this year and rest will be done next year and once this is done the farmers will not have to look upto the middlemen for selling their crops and hence there will be no exploitation`, added Ms. Mamata Banerjee.

Apart from that there will be 100-Polly-Houses across the South 24-parganas. This is a part of pilot project and will cover places like Canning, Goshaba, Pathor Pratima, Bishnupur, Jai Nagar to name a few, `This is a new concept and will protect the crops from destroying due to rains, floods, insects and even in the natural calamities as the word itself suggest that there will be tight polly security. These are the places where the farmers will themselves do the farming and sell their products. The state government will only extend the financial assistance. We will take this to other places but we have started with the South 24-Parganas initially`, said Chief Minister.

On the occasion of Ramzan and Durga Puja the State Government will sell the essential commodities like flour, sugar, edible oil at a subsidized rate across all the fair-price-shops in the state. Also there will an additional free of cost distribution of rice under the Annapurna Yojna covering nearly 59, 968 poor people.

`I have decided to increase the quantity of rice from two-kilograms to four-kilograms for the poor people in Aila prone regions (where the number is 3,13,558) and Singur (the number is 3,746). Previously we were distributing two-rupees rice per two-kilogram in these places but I have decided that from August onwards till April the quantity will be increased by two-kilograms, four-kilogram-rice instead of two-kilograms. I feel they should good nourishment as they lack good food`, said Chief Minister.

Speaking on this occasion Chief Minister referring to the Forwarding Policy of the Central government said that her government will not accept such policies in Bengal as this is the reason behind such inflation. `I want to make it clear that I will not tolerate anything which helps the black marketers and hoarders to flourish, if required I will take stern action and see such things are stopped`, added Ms. Banerjee. She reiterated that she will not tolerate the illegal hoarding as it is due to them that the situation has become so grave, `There is an attitude among average traders keep rice and grains on hold and sell next year to avail of the increased price offered by Central Government. I would like to tell them that don't do this mistake as the grains and rice you are staging may go waste due to various reasons, what will you do then. Besides next year you will have fresh growth and you can avail off the new prices`.

`The next review meeting of the task-force will take place on August 1, 2012`, added Chief Minister. 

`Trinamool Congress to vote Pranab Mukherjee in presidential polls, it is our democratic compulsion`: Ms. Mamata Banerjee

Trinamool Congress Chairperson and West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee holds meeting with Trinamool Congress Member of Parliaments (MP) and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) to discuss their views on the presidential candidature and immediately after the meeting the Chairperson ib PRESS briefing at the Writers` Building announced Pranab Mukherjee`s name for presidential candidate. `This is a collective decision we have taken at the party level and my party members have ushered in the responsibility to announce the decision in front of you all. I reiterate there is no pressure from any quarters`, said the Chairperson.

Speaking on this occasion Ms. Mamata Banerjee said, `We had two options � one to abstain from the election and the other to exercise our franchise`. This is the reason she had called all the leaders to discuss the next course of action at the Writers` Building. `However, if we abstain from polling then Pranab Mukherjee would get 50,000 votes since we are the second largest political alliance having our presence in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Uttar Pradesh apart from West Bengal. In such a situation Pranab Mukherjee would get these votes and win by default and if we vote then naturally it will be added`.

`Honestly, I would have gone for Dr. Kalam had he not expressed his unwillingness to contest the presidential elections. It is our misfortune that we could not have him as president but then we have no other option other than respecting his views`, she added.  

`In such a situation we have no other options but to extend our support to Pranab Mukherjee since wasting votes is undemocratic, said Ms. Banerjee.

Trinamool Congress leaders discusses Martyrs` Day plans, Shahid Smarak at 141 wards

Nearly 19-years have passed yet the Trinamool Congress has not forgotten that Black-Day of July 21, 2012 and they organize a meeting on this fateful day to pay their respects to the martyrs. This year the programme will take place at Dharmatala. Trinamool Congress leaders on Sunday to meet and discuss the planning in the wake of Shahid Diwas on July 21, 2012.

 

The Trinamool Congress pay their respect to the martyrs who had lost their lives on July 21, 1993, when the Calcutta Police, under Left Front Government mercilessly opened fire and killed 13 innocent activists. Youth Congress supporters under the leadership of Ms. Banerjee, then West Bengal State President of Youth Congress had organized Writers' Abhijaan (march towards Writers' Building) in demand that the 'Voters' Identity Card' be made the only valid document to verify voters in order to put a stop the rampant 'scientific rigging' gathered at five different points across the city. Youth Congress supporters gathered at five different points in the city and the one which had assembled at the Howrah station and began marching towards the destination along Brabourne Road were stopped by a large contingent of police near the Tea Board office, barely few minutes from the Writers' Building. An unleashed police force started beating up the crowd mercilessly in order to drive them away from the vicinity of the Writers' Building. The police opened fire killing 13 supporters and leaving 200 severely injured.

 

Since then Trinamool Congress observe this day solemnly. The party members gather at the venue and pay their tributes to the martyrs. After coming to power Trinamool Congress under the leadership of Ms. Mamata Banerjee decided to hold the meeting at the Brigade Parade grounds last year but due to inclement weather since early morning on that day the programme was washed out. However, inspite of the cyclonic weather the turn out was immense as they all had come to listen to the Trinamool Congress Chairperson and Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee. The party has decided to hold the programme this year at Dharmatala.

 

On Sunday Trinamool leaders and members of the core committee held a meeting at the Trinamool Bhawan in Topsia and decided that all those who will be coming from the districts to join in the programme on Martyr's Day should reach Kolkata on July 19 to avoid any last-minute commotion. The traffic commuting from the Howrah and Sealdah station on that day will not be disturbed and officials have been asked to make sure that the general commuters should not face any sort of harassment.

 

Trinamool Congress leaders at blocks and districts were advised to join-in the programme in a disciplined manner. The meeting which was presided over by the Trinamool Congress General Secretary also discussed the issue like lodging of these people who will come from districts. Apart from that it was decided that digital screens will be put up at strategic point at Dharmatala where the sitting arrangements will be done since everybody will not be able to reach the venue. Also it was decided at `Shahid Smarak` will be constructed across 141 wards.

Chief Minister congratulates members of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha for participating in democratic process

The West Bengal Government will work with the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) once it is set up, Chief Minister Ms.Mamata Banerjee said in Kalimpong on Friday, after meeting Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) President who could head the new autonomous body.
GJM is all set to take control of GTA, with 28 of its candidates being elected unopposed in the July 29 elections. The body is to have 45 elected members.
'The State government is always with them [the GJM]. The Trinamool Congress will also extend support to them,' Ms. Mamata Banerjee said, adding that the discussions with Mr. Bimal Gurung had been very good.
She expressed satisfaction that things seemed to be on course as far as setting up of GTA was concerned. 'Everything is proceeding according to the schedule. The situation is good and hence we are very happy.'
'What stood between us so far was sorted out today. As for the odd outstanding issues, we can always raise them with her, as she [Ms. Mamata Banerjee] is our mother,' GJM President said.
Ms. Mamata Banerjee said that after GJM takes control of GTA, development work in the region would begin. 'I think they (the GJM) can do a better service to the Darjeeling hills.'
'We want Darjeeling to be very peaceful and very good, and we want it to become the number one destination in the international tourist map,'she added.
Asked by journalists what the priorities of development are, after GTA is formed, the Chief Minister said: 'They [GJM] will prepare a plan of action. They want schools, college universities, and tourism, and surely we will give our assistance.'
GTA would be provided funds worth Rs. 200 crore, after being constituted as per the GTA agreement, Ms. Banerjee pointed out, adding that she has been urging the Centre to include Darjeeling district in the list of undeveloped districts.

Chief Minister attends Bhanubhakta Acharya`s birth anniversary at Kalimpong, says birth anniversary to be observed at block level

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee who is on a five-day-trip to North Bengal tour reached Kalimpong as per schedule to participate in the birth anniversary celebration of noted Nepali poet Bhanubhakta Acharya. The programme was held at the Kalimpong Town Hall and attended by a huge gathering that had come to hear Ms. Mamata Banerjee.

Bhanubhakta Acharya is among the eminent literary personalities in Nepal and also the first Nepali poet who translated the great Idian epic `Ramayana` from Sanskrit to Nepali. Adi Kavi as he is popularly called Bhanubhakta Acharya, was born in 1814 A.D in Chundi Ramgha, Tanahu district and was educated at home by his grandfather, Shri Krishna Acharya. His father Dhananjaya Acharya was a government official who worked for General Amar Singh Thapa Governor of Palpa in western Nepal. He was one of the greatest poet in history of Nepal.

`I couldn't come last time on this occasion but had sent my representative. This time I planned my North Bengal tour in such a way that I can be here on this occasion. I wanted to be with you all today. However, I had to seek special permission from the election commission owing to GTA elections knocking on the door and I am glad that I was granted permission`, said Ms. Mamata Banerjee who expressed her excitement to be able to share her sentiments with the Nepali speaking community.

Expressing her happiness that her government was able to spread the message of development across the Hills she said that when she came here previously and while going to back to Kolkata she was impressed by the picturesd beauty of a place near Kalimpong. `I went to the same place yesterday and was happy to see that the development work is in process as the place needs more places to accommodate  tourists who come to Darjeeling`, said Chief Minister.

Ms. Mamata Banerjee assured the Nepali speaking community residing in the Hills that she will constitute a task-force which will work in arranging the programmes and gather information on Bhanubhakta Acharya, `We just finished with a year-long-celebration of 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore and presently we are celebrating 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. I want the birth anniversary of noted Nepali poet Bhanubhakta Acharya who is called the `Adi Kavi` to be celebrated in a similar manner and I assure you that we will celebrate his birth anniversary at all the block levels`, said Ms. Mamata Banerjee.

`I love Darjeeling very much and I also love my Nepali brothers and sisters, I will continue to visit your place. Please don`t be angry upon me. If I come then it will get more and more publicity and if it gets publicity then tourism will flourish in the Hills. I am sure you understand that if tourism flourish then the Hills will have better business and subsequently you all will have better businesses, smiled Ms. Banerjee who said that she wants to develop the Hills into a tourism hub as this will not only develop the area but at the same time bring good business.

`I want you to stay safe and sound, I will be happy if Maa, Mati, Manush in Darjeeling prosper and let me reiterate that Bengal without Darjeeling and you all does not exist. I thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts on this occasion`, added Chief Minister. 

Chief Minister later in the evening shared her thoughts with masses on her Facebook page, `Today is a very special day for Darjeeling. We celebrated 198th birth anniversary of Nepali Adi Kobi Sri Bhanu Bhakt. It is also an important day as after so many years, new members got elected in a democratic process as per the agreement of GTA. They will take oath next month. I congratulate all of them for their participation in democratic process. I convey my best wishes and full support to their sincere efforts of bringing peace, development and prosperity in Darjeeling`.

Earlier in the day Chief Minister was seen enjoying herself watching nature and listening to the toe tapping music of the local Nepali people. Having an artistic instinct Ms. Banerjee tried to capture the feel of the beautiful and picturesque hilly terrains on her canvas. Tech-savvy Ms. Banerjee also captured dance and music presented by the locals in her honour on her I-pad.

Chief Minster discusses tourism at Jalpaiguri, on her way to Kalimpong

On Thursday the West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee convened a meeting with the forest officials at the bungalow in Gachbari in Jalpaiguri where she is putting up. Incidentally, the Chief Minister spent 45-minutes at Gorumara National Park a on Wednesday and took keen interest and interacted with the officials.

 

Ms. Mamata Banerjee on the request of the forest officials named a baby elephant as `Borshon`, inorder to keep significance of the naming with the present situation of inclement weather in the region due to heavy down pour. Immediately, after this Chief Minister set off for Kalipong where she will spend Thursday night and participate in the birth anniversary celebration of the noted Nepali poet Bhanubhakta.

 

However, while on her way to Kalimpong, Chief Minister stopped by at a workshop run by a self-help-group which is into manufacturing bags and other artifacts made of jute. Ms. Mamata Banerjee snatched some time from her busy schedule and spent some time with the artisans and interacted with them to know what are the ground realities or what are the problems that they face and also how to make the industry better.

 

Later in the evening Chief Minister shared her feelings on her official Facebook homepage (http://www.facebook.com/MamataBanerjeeOfficial), `For the last three days, I have been traveling from Cooch Behar to Jalpaiguri to Dooars. I held review meetings with thousands of people. Now I am in Tagda Forest near Kalimpong. During my discussion with forest officers, I emphasized to give more and more importance for protection of forest and green environment, and also providing rights of forest to the forest dwellers. Tomorrow i will attend the birth anniversary of the great poet Sri Bhanu Bhakta at Kalimpong`.

 

Chief Minister convenes district-review-meeting, addresses a rally at Cooch Behar, expresses her concern over the flash-flood situation

Chief Minister convenes district-review-meeting at Cooch Behar, expresses her concern over the flash-flood situation. 
West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee convened a district-review-meeting at Lansdowne Hall in Cooch Behar today morning. This is the first tour of the district after assuming office of the Chief Minister of West Bengal. Ms. Mamata Banerjee reached Cooch Behar late in the night and stayed at the Circuit House. Local people thronged the roads inspite of the incessant rains to have a glimpse of their favourite Didi.

Chief Minister who began her second leg of the district-review-meetings with the visit to Barasat last week and informed her next tour will be North Bengal like – development of roads, administration, education, health and civic related problems. She reached Bagdogra airport on Tuesday morning and left for Jalpaiguri where Ms. Banerjee convened a meeting with the district administration at the Art Complex. Chief Minister discussed various issue Ms. Mamata Banerjee have reiterated over the months that she is concerned over the development of districts, ` I have said before and maintain you cannot run government from Writers` Building rather need to get interactive and visit the districts`, said Ms. Mamata Banerjee at Barasat.

During the meeting at Cooch Behar on Wednesday, the Chief Minister expressed her concern over the flash-flood like situation and asked the district administration to take stock of the situation. Issues like development across the district in perspective of health, education, administration and roads were discussed.

Chief Minister address a huge gathering at the Rajbari Stadium immediately after the meeting, `I have come here to meet you all and am over whelmed to see the turn out here inspite incessant rain. I have really no words to express my gratitude to you all for coming to hear me`, were the opening words of the Chief Minister who expressed her concern over the flash-flood like situation in the region due to rains for over more than 11-hours, `The entire Cooch Behar has turned into a pool of water and I am concerned over the situation. I have already asked district administration to take stock of the situation and take adequate measures`, added Ms. Banerjee.

Chief Minister also flagged off three trains – new intercity express train between New Cooch behar and New Jalpaiguri, an EMU between Bamanhat-New Jalpaiguri-Siliguri, a Satabdi Express between New Jalpaiguri and Howrah. Ms. Banerjee also laid the foundation stone for a university at Cooch Behar and a polytechnic at Mathabhanga. `We don`t have funds, but no use of crying over split milk since we will do our work and I am confident that Cooch Behar will also emerge and make its place among all the districts`, said Chief Minister who presented bicycles to students from minority community.

Chief Minister reiterated her stand on development of poor condition of roads. It may be recalled that yesterday Ms. Banerjee during her meeting with the administrative officials at Jalpaiguri expressed her dissatisfaction over the poor condition of National Highway Road No. 31 and 34 said, `I am concerned and aggrieved over the poor roads. We have called a representative of the National Highway Authority and he will be having a detailed discussion with my Chief Secretary as I want to resolve this issue immediately. We are doing what ever possible in the state and I am myself following the working of this office but here we are bound by protocol. We can do it ourselves but are bound by protocols as this comes under the Central Government`. Chief Minister also gave `patta` to people under `Nijo Griho, Nijo Bhumi` scheme.

Chief Minister assured the people in the region that no body can stop development in Cooch Behar, `No one can stop Bengal`s development by hatching a conspiracy. It`s my challenge`. Ms. Banerjee said that  many of the existing hospitals will be upgraded. The government has reviewed the possibilities of industry in the district and plans to set up a jute industrial hub that would require 33 acres land. `I have told my officers to start scouting for land`, said Mamata, adding that the government will sanction Rs 25 crore for the expansion of Cooch Behar airport.
   

Ms. Mamata Banerjee in her own special style added a personal touch and expressed her gratitude to all for coming to hear her beating the natural calamity, `Please don�t get wet anymore, do not forget to take shower and think that getting drenched is an substitute of bath. Remember that rain water are not good for heath. Don`t forget to have a cup of hot tea`, smiled Ms. Banerjee.

Chief Minister said that she will come again and take stock of the situation, `I have always said what I can follow. I am not someone who says superfluously and I will continue my visits to districts. There was a huge gap between the Writers` Building and these districts, I am sure my districts tours will enable me to bridge this difference`, added Ms. Mamata Banerjee.