Author: AITC

The West Bengal Government is taking steps towards bridging the digital divide in the state and coming at par with the rest of the country. From incubation centres to IT policy, incentive schemes to e-governance, the steps taken by the All India Trinamool Congress led Government has brought Bengal to the top of the ladder in the information technology sector. And not just the Sector V, the IT penetration is happening at districts too.

Here are the achievements of the department of Information and Technology:

Attractive Policy: Present state government has announced a new information Technology policy and attractive incentive scheme in 2012. Special thrust has been given to the fields of hardware, gaming and animation. This state has been able to be in the front row in the field of Information Technology during last two and half years. In 2012, West Bengal was honoured with the “Data Quest e-readiness“ award.

Information Technology centres in districts: The reach of information-technology is being extended to the districts. State government has decided to construct. 13 IT Park at various places across the state. Among these, construction at 8 places is going on. The first phase of work has been completed at Durgapur and Siliguri and the second phase is underway. A modern plug and play-based IT Hub and Incubation Centre is being constructed at Taratala.

Expansion of Hardware and Electronics Industry: A Hardware Park on 10 acre of land at Sonarpur will shortly be prepared for distribution. One more Hardware Park at Kalyani and two green field Electronics Manufacture clusters at Naihati and Falta, are being constructed.

National Centres for Education: One of the best centres for education in information technology, Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) is being constructed at Kalyani. It is expected that the regular study in this institute will be made possible from this year.

Microsoft Centre of Excellence: Microsoft Centre of Excellence will be functional within next two-three months at Webel, Salt Lake.

Huge Employment: 1,30,000 IT professionals are involved in more than 500 IT companies across the state which was merely 90,000 in 2010-11. At present indirect employment in this field 6,50,000. All the leading software companies such as WIPRO, Mintor Graphics, Ericsson, Capgemini, Tech Mahindra, Accenture, TCS, Cognizant, ITC Infotech etc are extending their reach of work and functioning.

31% increase in export in two years:  Rs. 8,500 crore in Total amount of export from IT industry was 11,200 crore in 2012-13 which was merely 2010-11.

Unique Initiative of e-governance: e-governance is being implemented through technical assistance and guidance for applying e -governance in the various departments of the government. Such few schemes are Integrated Finance Management System (IFMS), State Statistical Strengthening Programme (SSSP), Employment Bank and labour Helpline, State Spatial Data Infrastructure (SSDI), National Land Records Modernisation Programme (NLRMP) etc.

Additionally, SMS-based grievance reporting system has been introduced in Howrah Police Commissionerate area for taxi refusal, eve teasing and other inconveniences. A scheme for booking taxi through mobile is being implemented.

e-district: e-district scheme is being implemented to convey various government services ( such as caste certificates, Certificate of Death, Residential & Income Certificate etc.) to the people through the kiosks in rural areas.

e-office: Paperless e-office system has been made operational in view of converting the offices of District Magistrates of both the 24 Parganas, Staff Selection Commission and Department of Information Technology to paperless offices.

Document Management System: To preserve all official data, the system of digitization has been introduced in the office of the District Magistrate of Darjeeling. The works of implementing the very system in more 12 of districts are going on.

West Bengal State Wide Area Network (WBSWAN): It is being rejuvenated to implement e-governance initiative and to ensure horizontal & vertical communication in between the various departments of the govt. and more than 500 blocks.

State Data Centre: State Data Centre has been made operational to protect the entire official digital database, which has been certified by quality determining ISO.

State Portal & State Service Delivery Gateway (SP-SSDG): State Portal & State Service Delivery Gateway are being made operational to provide various official services to the people online through a more easy, convenient and integrated way.

Diminishing Digital Divide: This year, computers, along with special learning kits are being provided to 102 schools with majority of backward class students. Computers of special kind along with modern “Braille Monitors” are also being provided to the blind students.

Click here to read the complete list of achievements.

Trinamool has always been ahead of other parties when it comes to innovative campaigns. From wall graffiti to social media – Trinamool has opted for 360 degree communication with voters. Giving a personal touch to the process, the Trinamool Congress Chairperson Ms. Mamata Banerjee will be sending a letter to every family living in the state, requesting them to support the Trinamool Congress candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections.

The letter – written in six languages, Bengali, English, Hindi, Urdu, Santhali and Panjabi – will carry the picture and the signature of the Trinamool Chairperson. The letter highlights the achievements of the State Government in the last 1000 days. It also speaks of the neglect towards Bengal shown by the Central Government and how the State has progressed despite paucity of funds. Didi has also written about the secret understanding between Congress-BJP-CPI(M) to defeat Trinamool.

In 2011, before the Assembly polls in West Bengal, Didi had sent letters signed by her in different constituencies, requesting for support. The people of the state, fed up with Left atrocities, responded to her request by casting their vote in her favour.

Trinamool Congress has already published its Manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections. For the first time the party is fighting the Lok Sabha Polls on its own. The party has also fielded candidates in states like Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Jharkhand, among others.

Bijoy Chandra Barman is the Registrar of Rabindra Bharati University. He is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Jalpaiguri Parliamentary Constituency. Trinamool web team joined him in his campaign trail as he mingled with the people in his constituency.

The districts of South Bengal have been reeling under a heat wave for the last few days, but the districts in North Bengal have been spared of the maddening mercury levels. However, the election heat is palpable in the district of Jalpaiguri, where for the first time Trinamool has fielded a candidate for Lok Sabha elections.

Jalpeshwar temple, Maynaguri. 01.04.2014

Bijoy Chandra Barman visited the iconic Jalpeshwar temple in Maynaguri to seek divine blessings before commencing his campaign trail. Accompanied by a sea of humanity, Bijoy babu held road shows at Jalpesh, Maynaguri road and neighbouring places. State Forest Minister Binoy Krishna Barman also held road shows in Dhupguri, which saw a huge turnout of people.

As we followed him to the various campaign destinations, the upbeat mood among the workers was palpable. Bijoy babu was frank. He said that the Congress and the Left have done nothing for the district, which has left the people wishing for more. They wanted change, and Trinamool was the best option.

Bijay Barman during a padyatra

As Bijoy babu finished his padyatra in Jalpesh area, we got down to some sharing of ideas:

Q. What was your first reaction when you came to know about your candidature in Lok Sabha election?

Bijoy babu: My responsibility towards the nation and society has increased. Now I will be working in a more serious manner towards building the nation. I have been working in the past for the upliftment of the society. Now the periphery has increased by manifolds. I am happy that I will be able to work in a bigger arena towards the development of the society.

A workers` meeting at Jalpaiguri Zilla Parishad Hall

Q. This is the first time Trinamool has fielded a candidate from Jalpaiguri in Lok Sabha election. How confident are you in the 4-way fight?

Bijoy babu: Due to the large number of development initiatives by our leader Ms. Mamata Banerjee, the strength of the organization here has increased a lot here. People have been attracted by this developmental wave and have been joining the party in large numbers. Left Front does not have a strong organization anymore. A large number of their workers have joined Trinamool. People are now vocal against the anti-people policies of Congress and the tyranny of the Left. Even though there is a 4-way fight, there is nothing to fear. We are confident of our victory.

Q. What are the major issues of Jalpaiguri that you are highlighting in your campaign?

Bijoy babu: Our Chief Minister has undertaken a number of projects for Jalpaiguri. We had a problem regarding the Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court. That is being solved. We had a problem regarding a sports complex. That is being solved. Uttar Kanya, the branch secretariat falls under my constituency. A tourism hub is coming up in Gazoldoba. Schemes have been launched for the tea garden workers, minority community and downtrodden people. If I win, will do more work on these lines.

People throng to Bijay babu`s meeting

Q. What are your campaign strategies? How are you taking Didi`s messages to the people?

Bijoy babu: In our campaign we are highlighting the sad condition of Jalpaiguri district under Left rule. We are focusing on the misrule by the Left Government during the past 34 years. We are trying to inform the people about the developmental wave that has swept the area in the last two and half years by the Trinamool Government.

Our organization here is now a strong one. Our leaders are coordinating with every party worker. Our Chairperson has instructed us to connect with common people and spread the news of the ongoing developmental works, side by side inform about the atrocities of the past Left Government.

 Q. With a lot of young voters this time, are you focusing on social media for campaign?

Bijoy babu: We have created a Facebook profile and we are enthused by the response we are receiving. Young generation is attracted towards us. A number of schemes have already been taken up for the young generation. I do not think they got anything from the Left Front in the past years. Now, there is new hope among them.

A rally in support of Bijay Barman

Campaign meeting at Dharmapur Gram Panchayat

After the quick chat session, Bijoy babu hit the roads again. This time the venue was Dharmapur Gram Panchayat. The response from the people was enormous. Everyone was eager to meet the man himself and express their problems. Party workers of the area narrated their woes which included drinking water problem and lack of roads.

Campaign at Bakali

Bijoy babu next moved on to Bakali. Here too the turnout was huge. People said that the production of agricultural products in this region was good, but the farmers lacked a Kisan Mandi. He assured them of action if he is elected. During the door-to-door campaign, one resident of the village requested him to ask the Government to give special status to Kamtapuri language. Bijoy babu also talked about the various schemes by the Government for Rajbagshi people.

Rally at Helapagri

Bijoy babu then walked in a padyatra at Helapagri. Here too, people joined in large numbers. Bijoy babu interacted with the various people at the village haat. Following this he met people and party workers at Saptibari. The campaign for the day came to an end.

Bijay Barman before filing his nominations

On the way back to Jalpaiguri

On his way back to Jalpaiguri, Bijoy babu said that an Election Committee of the Trinamool Congress has been set up for this constituency. The Committee is deciding on the schedule of the campaign, the dates and the respective areas. “When I am visiting a block, I am spending the whole day there. In the morning, I am spending my town in the cities or town and in the afternoon till late in the night, I am campaigning in the blocks. You can say, this is my daily routine.”

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has attempted to contradict the logical demand of Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress Govt of West Bengal for a Moratorium on the 2 lakh crore plus debt burden thrust upon it by the previous Left Front Govt (which ruled and ruined Bengal for 34 years) on the following lame excuses:

Chidambaram: Pranab Mukherjee, former Finance Minister extended financial package for Bengal under BRGF which is being continued

Trinamool: The fact remains that allocation was made to different states under the special BRGF scheme including West Bengal and this was not a special favour to Bengal as has been portrayed by Mr. Chidambaram. For example, Bihar received special BRGF funds as early as 2005. Therefore, Mr. Chidambaram is deliberately misleading the people of this country.

Chidambaram: There is no provision in the Budget or any scheme under which Centre would have paid interest for Bengal once the moratorium is granted

Trinamool: The Finance Minister might have hinted of repayment of public debts like Small Savings, etc. However, tangible Scheme could have been envisaged or for that matter Budgetary provisions could have been made in the same manner the scheme of BRGF was introduced for backward regions of the country, had there been compassionate and sympathetic consideration on the part of Chidambaram and his predecessor-in-office).

Chidambaram:  Debt ridden states like Punjab and Kerala would have also demanded for such moratorium

Trinamool: True. It is the Union Finance Ministry which, by issuing an official memorandum, declared West Bengal, Kerala and Punjab as “debt stressed states” in India. This was in line with the opinion of the Finance Commission of India which spoke of the need for debt restructuring of “debt stressed states” of the nation. Thereafter, a committee was formed in the Finance Ministry and a series of meetings were held and assurances were given, both at administrative and political levels. It was also stated on the floor of Parliament, that the demand for a Moratorium would be considered in right earnest. However, the Centre made a U-turn after TMC withdrew support from the Govt in protest against its anti-people policies.

The Congress is still carrying out its political vendetta and an unprecedented indirect economic blockade has been put against the people of Bengal. Centre has taken away more than 76,000 crores of rupees from Bengal during the past 35 months towards repayment of debt and interest. West Bengal was also denied the payment of another 11,000 crores on different commitments made by the Centre, some of which violate Bengal`s constitutional rights. Such ugly action is still on.

How the Centre is depriving Bengal of funds

In fact, while the Central Govt was denying West Bengal a Moratorium or any kind of debt restructuring, it was giving commitments of 2 billion dollars for the restructuring of the debt of Greece.

Why our Union Govt should not come forward to save Bengal or for that matter Punjab and Kerala, particularly when it allowed the previous Left Front regime in Bengal to perpetrate and perpetuate financial anarchy for more than 3 decades without adhering to fiscal discipline and resorting to FRBM?

Article 1 of the Constitution of India stipulates, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.” Hence, it cannot be a unitary state. Centre does not have any extra-territorial jurisdiction to collect revenues, but from the states of India only. Therefore, it is the constitutional obligation and duty of the Centre to extend helping hand to the States in the hours of crisis. Centre cannot shirk off its responsibility over the mounting debt burden of Bengal as it remained silent onlooker to ghastly show of fiscal tyranny of its erstwhile (and probably would be) ally, the CPI(M) in West Bengal for political quid pro quo.

We would like to pose one last question to Mr. Chidambaram. Is there any Constitutional Scheme or Budgetary provision that allows the Central Government to grant moratorium and restructuring of loan and interest in cases of NPA and bad debts of PSU banks worth lakhs of crores? What is the quantum of debts/taxes written off by the Centre during the past 34 years? Who are the beneficiaries? Capitalists or Crony Capitalists, Mr. Chidambaram? Does it not establish that your Ministry is for the Chiselors, by the Chiselors and for the Chiselors?

The AC Executive buses of Kolkata will now offer free Wi-Fi service to its passengers. With the changes brought about by the state transport department, the new facility is being welcomed by all the internet-using commuters of the city.

The service, in its pilot phase, will initially be available on two routes – Airport-Tollygunge (via Sector V) and Barasat-Chetla (via Airport, Exide and Rashbehari Avenue). Depending on response from commuters the service will be extended to other routes as well.

Commuters travelling along these routes can avail free connectivity for a duration of 15 minutes. Buses offering this service will bear the logo of the service provider and will have the details of Log in process on the back of every seat. Users can either scan the QR code or tap for NFC connectivity to receive password. The phone number of the commuter`s smartphone will work as the registration gateway and they will get the password as an SMS on phone.

In Kolkata these buses cover the length and breadth of the city ferrying young professionals, students, general passengers; often on the long journey you find commuters doing work, watching movie on their laptop or iPads, reading on their Kindles or listening to music on their smart phones. Considering the fact that the public service buses ferry more than 50, there will have to be as many as 10 devices on board each bus.

The All India Trinamool Congress led West Bengal Government, under the leadership of Ms. Mamata Banerjee, has been committed towards working for the development of women and children. Several beneficiary schemes have been launched by the Government to aid women as well as children. The child mortality rate has gone down in the state, and women can now voice their problems freely.

Here are some of the achievements of the Women and Child Development department:

Kanyashree:

In order to encourage girl-children to go to schools and discourage early marriage, the Hon`ble Chief Minister inaugurated the Kanyashree Prakalpo on October 1, 2013, where money is directly credited to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. This Prakalpo consists of two components: annual stipend of Rs 500 for girls aged between 13 and 18, studying in schools, and providing one-time grant of Rs 25,000 to unmarried girls aged between 18 and 19 who are studying/undergoing training. About 11 lakh girls have been enlisted so far and among this, applications of 8 lakh girls have been sanctioned.

Schemes for social security of teenage girls:

Girl-students of schools and colleges are being trained in self-defence with the assistance of police through Sukanya Prakalpo. January 24 in 2013 was observed as National Girl Child Day for the first-time ever in this state, giving emphasis on girl-children and the importance of rearing them well. Since then, this day is being observed in a befitting manner every year.

Empowerment of women:

• Rajya Mission Sanstha has been constituted under the chairpersonship of the Hon`ble Chief Minister, and Rajya Mahila Sampad Kendra has been set up under it. Rajya Mahila Sampad Kendra has organised workshops, seminars, etc. with an eye on the implementation of the policy of empowerment of women.
• State Women`s Empowerment Policy has been formulated for the first time in West Bengal.
• With a view to enhancement of efficiency for the purpose of economic empowerment of women under the Swabalamban Prakalpo, technical training has been provided to them. During 2012-13, 23 profession-oriented six-month technical training courses were taught to 3115 women.
• Inmates of homes run by the government and private organisations are being appointed by phases under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme in Anganwadi Centres.
• International Women`s Day is being observed on March 8 every year, glorifying the success of the women of Bengal.

Steps towards prevention of women and child trafficking:

West Bengal has taken proactive steps towards the rescue of women and children who have infiltrated from or have been trafficked from Bangladesh, giving them either a safe passage back or rehabilitation and repatriation. Taking North Dinajpur as the pilot district, several programmes have been initiated to prevent their trafficking and providing them safe custody.

Child protection:

• For investigation of missing and oppressed children, the Track Child 1.6 portal has been made for public. 335 posts have been created to implement child rights programmes, which would be filled up soon; meanwhile, 186 posts have already been filled up.
• State Child Protection Society (SCPS), State Adoption Resources Agency (SARA) and District Child Protection Society (DCPS) have been formed.
• Child Welfare Committee and Juvenile Justice Board are working in 19 districts.
• The maintenance charge of the inmates of cottage homes (for destitute children) has been increased from Rs 1100 to Rs 1250 per person.
• The children`s home at Kadai in Berhampore, which had been lying closed since long, has been renamed Kazi Nazrul Child Home and was inaugurated on February 14, 2014.
• State-wide seminars have started and work plans have been made to address the issue of declining child-sex ratio.

For the complete list of achievements, click here.

Trinamool Chairperson has been saying that Trinamool will emerge as the third largest party in India after the Lok Sabha elections. Recent opinion polls held across news channels have vindicated the Chairperson`s stand. A pre-poll survey conducted by AC Nielson-ABP has predicted that Trinamool Congress led by Ms. Mamata Banerjee will gain the first place as the regional party with maximum number of seats in the upcoming 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

According to opinion poll held on March 2014, the Trinamool may get 28 seats. Incidentally, in 2009 Lok Sabha Polls, Trinamool Congress had won 19 seats. In the opinion polls conducted by the same organization in January and February this year, the numbers for Trinamool Congress stood at 26 and 29 respectively. The survey says that 41 per cent of voters in Bengal may vote for Trinamool Congress.

According to this pre-poll survey, the other regional parties like BSP – led by Ms. Mayawati – may get around 18 seats in Uttar Pradesh while AIDMK – led by Ms Jayalalitha – may get around 21 seats in Tamil Nadu. In Andhra Pradesh, the YSRC, led by Jagan Reddy may get around 17 seats while JDU, led by Nitish Kumar in Bihar may be reduced to 6 seats.

One of the interesting results this survey produced is the decrease in the number of seats of the CPI(M) in West Bengal. The survey says Left parties – consisting CPI(M), CPI, AIFB and RSP – may get 31 per cent votes in the state.

Results of the ABP-AC Nielson Opinion poll

ভারতের বিভিন্ন আঞ্চলিক দলগুলির মধ্যে ২০১৪ সালের আসন্ন লোকসভা নির্বাচনে মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায় প্রথম স্থান দখল করতে চলেছেন। এবিপি আনন্দ–এসি নিয়েলসেনের সমীক্ষা থেকে এই তথ্য স্পষ্ট হয়ে উঠেছে। জয়ললিতা এবং মায়াবতীকে পিছনে ফেলে “দিদি” মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায় যে ভাবে আঞ্চলিক দলগুলির মধ্যে এক নম্বরে উঠে আসছেন।

গত লোকসভা নির্বাচনে মমতার দলের প্রাপ্ত আসন সংখ্যা ছিল ১৯। এবিপি আনন্দ–এসি নিয়েলসেনের জানুয়ারি ও ফেব্রুয়ারি মাসের সমীক্ষা অনুযায়ী তৃণমূলের সম্ভাব্য আসনপ্রাপ্তির হিসেব ছিল যথাক্রমে ২৬ ও ২৯। এ বারের সমীক্ষা সম্পর্কে বলতে গিয়ে তৃণমূল নেতা মুকুল রায়ের মন্তব্য, “সমীক্ষার তুলনায় আসন সংখ্যা আরও বাড়বে।“