Month: January 2015

Bengal improves on unemployment rate under Trinamool

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The Labour Bureau of India, published the fourth Annual Employment- Unemployment Survey Report. This report shows an improvement of West Bengal’s condition of Employment.

Here is what the survey report says about West Bengal:

  • The Unemployment Rate (UR)* in WB is 52. But it has come down sharply over the years. In 2012-13 it was 74 and in 2011-12 it was 78 and in 2009-10 it was 113. The UR is the lowest in all the years of survey and has decreased constantly.
  • The Proportion Unemployment (PU)** of WB stands at 26, and the national average is also at 26. The PU has also decreased over the years which are reflected in the survey of the previous years. In 2012-13 the rate was 38 and in 2011-12 it was 40. The PU is at an all time low for the State in all the survey’s conducted by the Labour Bureau.
  • In terms of lowest Unemployment Rate, WB stands at number 12. The rank was 25 in 2012-13 and 28 in 2011-12. This reflects the steady improvement of the situation.

 

Despite propaganda and criticism by a section of the media and the Opposition parties, West Bengal continues to surge ahead under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee. The figures speak for themselves.

 

* Unemployment Rate (UR): It is defined as the number of persons unemployed per 1000 persons in the labour force. (Number of Unemployed person/ Total labour force) *1000

** Proportion Unemployed (PU): It is defined as the number of persons unemployed per 1000 persons.

 

Source: Labour Bureau, Government of India.  Annual Employment- Unemployment Survey Report (2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14)

Representative image courtesy Livemint

We want Bengal to keep moving ahead on the path of development: WB CM at North Bengal Industry Meet

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West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee today inaugurated the North Bengal Industry Meet-2015 at Uttar Kanya. She interacted with the prospective investors and renowned business persons of North Bengal during the meet.

Many industry and business representatives from neighbouring countries of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh and 7 North Bengal districts participated. Many captains of industry from Kolkata have joined the programme.

North Bengal is the gateway to the North East, and its strategic proximity to Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh offers huge business potential. The region already received more than Rs. 4000 Crore investment proposals very recently which are being implemented on a fast track. Today’s Industry Meet has generated significant enthusiasm and lots of investment proposals are in the offing.

All the investment proposals will be monitored by a Core Committee for North Bengal and I will personally come every six months to review the progress. For the convenience of investors and tax payers of North Bengal, a new Bench of the West Bengal Sales Tax Appellate and Revisional Board in Siliguri has been launched today. An MSME Facilitation Centre and an Unique Clearance Centre to look into mutation and conversion of land for industrial purposes at “Uttarkanya” have also been created. The government is going to set up a new Convention Centre and an Industrial Fair Ground in North Bengal.

Highlights of the CM’s speech:

  • From now, for paying taxes you do not have to go to Kolkata. Work can be done in Siliguri itself.
  • We have brought down the loss in mandays due to Bandhs to zero.
  • We do not support the politics of Bandh. We do not believe in destructive politics.
  • Disputes should be solved through negotiations and talks.
  • We want Bengal to move forward. We need your help and cooperation.
  • Some media houses have negative attitude. They only show bad news 24X7.
  • We will be providing skill development training to 10 lakh youth.
  • We hosted Bengal Global Summit few days ago. Job opportunities will be created for 1 crore people in 2-3 years.
  • We will create a fund worth Rs 200 crore to support entrepreneurs.
  • We have set up a Unique Clearance Centre. A branch has been established today at Uttarkanya.
  • We are committed to rejuvenate the tea industry.
  • Ambuja group & Keventer Group are investing in north Bengal. We wish them all the best for their new venture.
WB CM Bengal Global Summit

WB CM stresses on self-reliance in vegetable production

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WB CM Ms Mamata Banerjee attended the ‘West Bengal Cold Storage Association’s Golden Jubilee Celebration’at Netaji Indoor Stadium today as Chief Guest. In her speech, while appreciating the initiatives taken by the Association towards helping in agricultural growth of the State, she stressed on the importance of being self reliant.

The Chief Minister highlighted that Bengal was among the frontrunners in horticulture and the State accounted for 16% of India’s vegetable production. She stressed upon self-reliance in terms of seed production, fisheries and egg production.

Highlights of her speech:

  • We have an old relationship. You stood by us during potato crisis. We have always assisted you.
  • We have to increase our capacity for seed production. We spend Rs 1500 crore for seed procurement.
  • We must utilise the opportunities we have. We have a huge market for eggs. There is a lot of scope in poultry and fisheries.
  • Like you keep potatoes in cold storage, you should build capacity for fishes also.
  • We are setting up cold storages in all blocks. We are setting up warehouses and Kisan Mandis under PPP.
  • Land for Kisan Mandis and cold storages have been identified.
  • We conduct meetings of the core committee for prices every fortnight.
  • It is easy to criticize. We believe in working for the benefit of grassroots.
  • The gap between demand and supply must be bridged.
  • 16% of the total vegetable production in India is from Bengal. We won Krishi Karman Award for 3 consecutive years.
  • We are against forcible acquisition of land. Agriculture is our pride. Industry is our future.
  • Why should West Bengal import vegetables from other States, even fish is imported. We have to be self-sufficient.
  • We started onion cultivation in dry areas of Bankura. We have got results. We are providing technical assistance to farmers.
  • We are among the frontrunners in horticulture in India.
  • Centre is not releasing funds for food procurement. They are not giving us funds for 100 Days’ Work.
  • Fertilizer prices are skyrocketing, Farmers are facing difficult times. We must stand beside them.
  • If we work together, there is big opportunity for big business. We have a PPP policy.

MSME sector in north Bengal – Marching Ahead

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The West Bengal Government led by Ms Mamata Banerjee has taken several initiatives to speed up the process of industrialisation in North Bengal. From grants to providing services, the government has helped a multitude of small and medium enterprises in the region.

Initiatives like Siliguri Synergy, Synergy Gourbanga, Unique Clearance Centre, Finance Clinic, Statutory Compliance Centres and Technology Facilitation Centre along with various Chambers of Commerce have helped the MSME sector to grow in north Bengal.

 

Some of the initiatives of the WB Govt are listed below:

  • During Synergy Siliguri and Synergy Gourbanga investment proposals to the tune of Rs 1612 crore were received
  • All land related problems solved
  • All statutory compliances done
  • Problems relating to ground water drainage taken care
  • Bank loans worth more than Rs 1700 crore given to MSME sector during April-December, 2014
  • 200 acre of land identified for industrial purposes
  • 29 clusters formed
  • Progress in establishing comprehensive handloom sector
  • Various handicraft centres recognised by UNESCO to be brought under cultural tourism circuit
  • For the first time the Govt will train individuals to become entrepreneurs with training in finance, corporate management, technology and other related subjects
  • B2B and B2G sessions conducted to create an international partnership

TMCP wins student union polls in Kolkata

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Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) won over 90 per cent of the seats in the students’ union elections of Calcutta University held here on Saturday.

“Of the 750 seats, there was no contest in about 680 seats,” Swagata Sen, returning officer of the polls and Dean of Commerce of the University told journalists.

In the remaining 70 seats, about 40 were won by the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), while the BJP-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) won about 12 seats.

The Students Federation of India (SFI), the students wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), had to contend with only four seats.

The student wing of Congress Chhatra Parishad won three and Democratic Student Organisation won five seats in the contest.

TMCP President Ashok Rudra said that the reason for the victory was that other students unions had totally lost its base among students. He also told a newspaper: “Students are showering us with votes because of the huge amount of work done by West Bengal Government in the education sector, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.”

WB Govt pays tribute to Suchitra Sen on her first Death Anniversary

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Legendary actress and Mahanayika of Bengal, Suchitra Sen breather her last on this day, an year back. The West Bengal Government has organised a special event at Nandan to remember the legacy of Suchitra Sen.

A special retrospective has been arranged by the State Government in honour of Suchitra Sen, till 21 January, 2015. Movies like Sare Chuyattor, Ekta Raat, Indrani, Dwip Jwele Jai, Sagarika will be screened at Nandan-2 from 5 pm. Movie enthusiasts are cordially invited for the Retrospective.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had written on her Facebook page:

 I remember, last year on this date I met Suchitra Sen. At that time, I could not imagine she would leave us forever, the very next day.

Tomorrow, we will be remembering the legendary Suchitra Sen in a very special programme at Nandan. A special retrospective will be screened there till 21st January. I welcome you all.

Although Suchitra Sen left us a year ago, she will remain in our hearts. She is immortal, her memories are immortal.

WB Govt introduces Pentavalent Vaccination Programme to prevent child mortality

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The Health and Family Welfare Department has introduced the Pentavalent vaccination programme throughout the State to prevent infant mortality. The Pentavalent Vaccine will act against five diseases, namely, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT), Hepatitis B and HIB (meningitis).

This vaccine will be given to children up to the age of one year and will spare the infants from going through the ordeal of multiple vaccinations for various ailments. The vaccination programme is expected to benefit 15 lakh children in the State per annum.

The combined vaccine would work against five antigens and has to be administered in three doses when the infant reaches six, 10 and 14 weeks and a booster dose at one-and-a-half years. The Health and Family Welfare department is taking all steps to implement this programme successfully across the State.

Bengal Govt to set up primary health centres in 32 municipal areas

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The State Health and Family Welfare Department, which is headed by Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee herself, is all set to launch primary health centres in 26 municipal areas and 6 municipal corporations in this fiscal year itself.

Health centres will be set up under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) in all districts except newly-formed Alipurduar. The State Government has already allotted Rs 24 crore 96 lakhs and 90 thousand to the district municipalities for the work.

These health centres will have a medical officer, pharmacist, technician, nurse and an Asha worker along with two Group D staffs. The medical officer will be appointed from the department whereas other staffs will be locally appointed by the district medical centres.

The ‘Outdoor’ facilities in the Centres will be available from Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 2 PM. As the NUHM scheme provides such health centres for around 50,000 urban population, other areas in the State will also be covered in the near future.

management

Effective management of Gangasagar Mela: Bengal sets an example for mass congregations

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More than 10 lakh people have visited Gangasagar this time since the annual congregation commenced on 12 January, the South 24-Parganas district administration reported.

Elaborate security arrangement

The State administration had made elaborate security arrangements for the mela. More than 30 CCTV cameras were installed and a similar number of watchtowers erected in and around the Kapil Muni temple on the island’s bank.

Deployment of 6,500 policemen was made along with coast guards, BSF and Navy personnel to ensure adequate security of the area. Security forces in the sea were equipped with hovercraft and small aircraft.

West Bengal Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee along with Power Minister Manish Gupta, Sunderban Affairs minister Manturam Pakhira and Minister of State for Minority Affairs Giasuddin Mollah and the Zilla Sabhadipati, District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police and other top officials of South 24 Parganas, were present to monitor the situation.

Record turnout

Most of the pilgrims hailed from states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jhargkhand, Chhatisgarh and Odisha; there were also a good number of them from Assam and Tripura, besides the home state Bengal.

For the pilgrims there were temporary sheds at Sagar Mela ground where they could take rest. Arrangement of temporary toilets and cooking was made without compromising on the cleanliness of the mela ground. There was adequate arrangement for electricity.

 

Photo credit: Debojyoti Chakraborty

Alternative livelihood mission for villagers in Sagar Islands

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State Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Mr Subrata Mukherjee has inaugurated a project of alternative livelihood for the people of most backward villages of Sagar Island.

Mr Mukherjee said a large number of people used to depend on hunting turtles, not only endangering those species but also risked their owned lives in doing so. People died of attacks by crocodiles and small sharks, he said.

Local people will be engaged in prawn and other fishes’ egg breeding units in several villages as alternative livelihood, he said.

Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS) has taken up initiative for providing all arrangements to set up the infrastructure for prawn and other fishes’ egg breeding units. Villagers from Mahendraganj, Nagendraganj, Khasramkar, Uttarharadhanpur, Kayalpara, Dhaspara, Krishnanagar and Chalkfuldubi, will join this project.

Swami Biswatmananda, general secretary of the BSS said that a 5000 square feet place has been identified for setting up a skill development centre for local people.

He said around 2700 people will be trained in fish breeding, in agriculture farming, making organic manure and handicrafts items.

Mr Mukherjee said that the state government will provide all kind of help to BSS if these projects are implemented in other villages.