January 1, 2015
Foundation Day: Looking back at Trinamool’s achievements in governance
Trinamool Congress was founded on January 1, 1998. For 17 long years, the party has always been with the people, standing beside them in any time of need. From mass people’s movements to the struggle for establishing democracy in Bengal, Trinamool has always served the Maa, Mati, Manush. After coming to power in 2011, the party has extensively worked for the all-round development of the State.
Even before 2011, Trinamool has been part of the Union Government. Chairperson Ms Mamata Banerjee was the first woman Railway Minister of India. During her tenure she worked dedicatedly for the people and presented the Vision Document 2020 for Indian Railways.
On the 17th Foundation Day of Trinamool Congress, we look at the major achievements of the party as the ruling force in West Bengal:
Law and Order
- Kolkata has been awarded the safest city in “India Today Group”. According to the NCRB data, the rate of rapes per lakh woman is 1.10 in Kolkata, while in other metros the rates per lakh woman are – Delhi (19.02), Raipur (15.62), Mumbai (4.59) and even much below the national average for major cities (6.39).
- 5 new commissionarates, 88 fast track courts, 45 courts for woman, 20 woman police stations, 19 human rights court, either set up or notified.
- 400 new sub inspectors, 40,000 constables, 1.3 lakh civic police recruited.
- Peace restored in the disturbed areas of Jangalmahal. Top Maoist leaders have returned to the mainstream.
- Peace is prevailing in Darjeeling. WB Government observed the birth anniversary of Netaji at Darjeeling last year.
Economic Progress and Industrial Growth
- In FY 2013-14, GSDP growth rate was 7.7% vs national average of GDP : 4.9%
- In FY 2013-14, growth in agriculture and allied sector was 5.28% vs national average of 4.6%
- In FY 2013-14, growth in industrial sector was 9.58% vs the national average of 0.7%
- In FY 2013-14, growth in service sector was 7.8% vs the national average of 6.9%.
- Total investment proposal received in 1000 days is in the tune of Rs 1,40,000 crore and the work in progress in the tune of Rs 78,000 crore. Interested companies include SAIL, Ultratech cements, Reliance cements, ESSAR and others.
- For the FY 2013-14, both in terms of growth (105%) of bank credit and in terms of amounts, West Bengal stands first in the nation in MSME sector.
Social Schemes
- More than 90,000 houses have been constructed under Gitanjali scheme for the economically challenged section.
- The Chief Minister opened the Kanyashree Prakalpa, which consists of an annual stipend of Rs 500 for girls aged between 13 to 18, studying in school and providing one time grant of Rs 25,000 to unmarried girl between the age to 18 and 19 and who are undergoing study or training. It has received international acclaim. About 11 lakh girls have already been enlisted and another 8 lakh sanctioned.
- About 3.2 crore socially and financially backward people are being provided with rice at the rate of Rs 2 per kg.
- Special assistance has been provided to people living below the poverty line. 1.7 crore poultry chicken, 22,300 goats and 400 pigs distributed among 3.6 lakh families.
- Yuvashree Prakalpa has been introduced to provide unemployed youth with monthly incentives to 1 lakh job seekers registered with the New Employment Bank.
Rural Development
- An unprecedented milestone has been achieved in the 100 days work. In the FY 2013-14, West Bengal has incurred expenses worth Rs 5608 crore for creation of jobs which is the highest in the entire nation.
- The number of man days created in the last 3 years, since the new government took charge is 5861 lakh compared to 3891 lakh for the same period of the previous regime.
- An initiative has been undertaken for creating 16,000 km all-weather road, which will create about 3.5 crore man-days of work.
- In the last 3 years, the total pattas distributed to 1,85,000 thousand landless families.
- Under the World Bank Project on Institutional Strengthening, 986 out of 999 Gram Panchayats of Bengal have qualified for award of block grant of around Rs 20 lakh each, after rigorous evaluation of all the developmental parameters. Only West Bengal Gram Panchayats are getting this grant in the country.
Infrastructure Development
- 4000 km of roads upgraded to double lanes or intermediate lane. Construction of 16 big bridges and five flyovers on rail track has been completed. 42 water supply schemes have been commissioned.
- New thermal power centres are being constructed in Santaldih, Durgapur, Sagardighi, Raghunathpur. Transmission sub stations have been installed in Dalkhola, Kalna, Khatra, Kakdwio, Kurseong, Sankrial food park, Howrah and Kharagpur. Power banks have been created, thus excess power produced is saved. Remote islands of Sunderbans are being supplied with power through grid.
- 8 new universities are being opened up, 31 new government colleges and 14 new private colleges are in the process of being set up. It should be noted that in the last 67 years, only 38 government colleges have been established.
- 34 multi speciality hospital being set up. Works for 13 hospitals have already started. More than 65 fair price shops have been opened, discounts are provided at a range of 48% to 72%. 47 fair price diagnostic centres are also being set up.
- West Bengal Cabinet recently cleared ‘Theme Township’ scheme to be implemented at 6 cities – Kalyani, Siliguri, Bolpur, Durgapur, Bantala, Andal.
- Tourism is being developed under the PPP model in Gajoldoba, Jharkhali, Sabujdwip. New eco tourism parks, lodges adventure sports and other projects are being undertaken.
Mamata Banerjee has set a new example in governance by undertaking over 75 district visits and conducting administrative review meetings at block level. Earlier people would have to come to Kolkata for official work. Now the Secretariat travels to the districts. She has also set up a Branch Secretariat at north Bengal and created a new district – Alipurduar.
Trinamool will continue to work for the people in the days to come under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, despite all the smear campaign by the Opposition.
Written by: Sanmit Sarkar and Agnivo Niyogi
