Author: AITC

In an attempt to bring in transparency in transfer and posting of Secretariat employees, the State Government is all set to come up with an online database of the employees in a batch-wise manner.

The database will particularly indicate their dates of joining and it will be referred before transfer and posting of employees.

The State Government, which already has the batch-wise list of IAS officers, is uploading the data. The work for preparing the batch-wise list of WBCS officers and the common cadre wing are underway. A meeting will be held on 31 March to assess the status of the database.

While preparing the transfer list of employees, the seniority of an employee is taken into consideration among many other factors but since the batch numbers of the employees are not kept handy, the task becomes cumbersome.

Earlier, various Unions had complete control over the posting and transfer. Quite often, the State Personnel and Administrative Reforms department has to rectify after issuing a transfer list following such errors.

The database will solve the problem. The names of employees and their batch numbers will be available at the click of a mouse.

After coming to power the new government has introduced a transfer policy to weed out nepotism. Employees are transferred after completing a certain number of years in a particular department.

The databases of employees, now, will be assessed during transfer and posting.

The present state government, at the passionate inspiration of the Chief Minister, has given unprecedented emphasis towards development in the field of tourism. Budget allocation has been increased manifold during the period of present government. The budget allocation for tourism department was Rs 32 crore in 2009-2010, which has now been increased to Rs 180 crore during 2014-15.       

The department of Tourism has given foremost priority to the spheres of tourism potentials which has still been unexplored and has taken various actions in this regard.

Development of Tourism through Public Private Partnership Model:

The state government has adopted the Public Private Partnership Model, followed worldwide. It includes Tourism Park, Lodge (both economic and luxurious), Amusement Park, Adventure sports, Helicopter and Sea- Transport services and numerous revenue earning projects.

Cultural Tourism:

Cultural Tourism is, now-a-days, considered to be an integral part of general tourism and the department of Tourism is trying to uphold enriched cultural pluralism of this state. Besides, Bauls, Chhou performers, Flouteplayers etc., the Pata artists, Creators of handicraft designs, Experts in Kantha stiching, the Dokra fine-artists have been included in all the street exhibitions at home and abroad as part of this cultural tourism. The presence of these artists in the large-scale tourism-centric programme in London and Berlin has made the pavillion of West Bengal an important centre of attraction. In order to make available for the tourists, these kinds of cultural assets through lodging, centres of skill development, exhibitions and sales counters, dept. of Tourism at the same time, is upholding rural tourism.

Home Tourism:

Department of Tourism has given special emphasis on Home Tourism in various tourist centres specially in Derjeeling and Dooars.

Heritage Tourism:

Keeping in view enormous cultural and historical heritage, the state government has taken up a plan for the development of heritage sites of Malda and Murshidabad and the temples of Bishnupur from the viewpoint of tourism development. A project on tourism has been taken on Motijheel in Murshidabad involving Rs. 14 crore.

Beautification of Cities:

A lot of projects have been undertaken for beautification of Kolkata, a city of heritage. One of these projects is the beautification of the river Ganga involving Rs 20 crore.

Besides, a project is being implemented by the dept. of Tourism in view of maintenance, renovation and cultural artefacts of colonial heritage on the both sides of the river Hooghly with the assistance of the concerned embassies.

Tourism at remote destination:

Special emphasis has been laid on spread of tourism in places which has not yet captured the imagination of the tourists. It includes construction of tourist lodge at Gangarampur in the district of Dakshin Dinajpur, and construction of guest houses at Ramganga & Patharpratima in the district of South 24 Parganas. This apart, a district-wise narrative list of tourism destinations has been prepared.

Publicity:

Keeping in view the marketing of the 'RUPASI BANGLA' (Beautiful Bengal), the Department of Tourism has been participating relentlessly in the Travel & Tourism Fairs organised at home and abroad. Few of these are International Trade Fair, IITM, IATO Annual Convention, WTM London , ITB Berlin etc.

For more details about the achievements in tourism, click here.

Sudip Bandyopadhyay was the Leader of Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party in the 15th Lok Sabha. He is the candidate for 16th Lok Sabha polls from Kolkata Uttar Constituency. Trinamool web team had a brief chat with Sudip da during his campaign trail at his election office in Central Kolkata.

Q. Sir how would you rate yourself as an MP? What would list as your major achievements in the last five years?

Sudip Bandyopadhyay: I would give myself full marks. I can list reasons for doing so. I have attended every session of Parliament as an MP, despite all other pressing engagements. My attendance in Parliament is about 90%. I have participated in about 56 debates. All the debate is available on the Parliamentary website, as well as my own website. I took over as the leader of the Parliamentary Party in the Lok Sabha after Mamata Banerjee became the Chief Minister of West Bengal in 2011.

You can also check the data of my MPLAD fund spending on my website. I have achieved 100% utilisation of the funds allocated to me. Even as a Union Minister of State for Health, I ensured West Bengal Health Department gets more funds from the Centre. I have also represented India at the South Asian Health Ministers` Conference.

We have also raised the issues of Bengal on the floor of the Parliament in a positive manner. The Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party has succeeded in making their stand clear on the floor of the House on every issue. Even a No Confidence Motion was moved against the Government; I moved it and Speaker had to admit it. Sadly it was not accepted because of shortage of numbers, but we made our mark. Even during the debate on Land Acquisition Bill, Trinamool was the only party in Parliament to oppose it.

Even in my own constituency, I have had regular contacts and interactions with the people. I have always made myself accessible to my voters. They are satisfied with my performance. I am deeply satisfied with my performance on the floor of the House for the last five years. I have no regrets. The only sphere where we could not succeed is that we could not convince the Government to give Bengal a financial package. This is a pending issue which we will work on after the Lok Sabha elections.

Q: How do you perceive your opposition candidates?

Sudip Bandyopadhyay: First of all I must say, some media houses are talking about heavyweight candidates in North Kolkata. I do not know what that means. One candidate has never contested any election in his life. One candidate has been defeated in the last Assembly elections by a margin of about 36000 votes. Another candidate won a few Assembly elections, but never contested any election without a pre-poll alliance.

Even the person who has been projected as the leader of Sealdah area, let me tell you, Sealdah is the smallest among the 294 Assembly Constituencies in Bengal. The anti-Trinamool votes will be divided in the four-cornered fight.

During the 15th Lok Sabha elections, people demanded we form an alliance with Congress to defeat the CPI(M). Now the situation has changed. Parde ke peeche they are all united. After my long experience of elections in Kolkata, sometimes as MLA and sometimes as MP, my assessment says there are hardly any seats in the West Bengal, except one or two, where Congress or CPI(M) or BJP have more votes than Trinamool.

Why should I believe Opposition parties have more votes in North Kolkata compared to Trinamool, when Mamata Banerjee has shown her capacity in the last Panchayat or Municipality election? In 2009, out of the 8 lakh votes polled, I received about 4 lakh votes. So the other 4 lakh votes will be divided between rest of the parties. In terms of percentage, I am confident I will win more than 60% of the votes this time.

People have seen the developmental work of the West Bengal Government. They have started believing she is a successful administrator. Despite a financial crunch, she is doing a good job. Even during my padyatras, the turnout was so high that I had to cancel them midway, or else people would have been hurt. We have got a huge support from young people.

Q: What are the USPs of your campaign? How are you using social media?

Sudip Bandyopadhyay: In an election, you have to go to the voters; that gives the best results. I have been convinced by my young friends to join social medial. Let us see how it turns out. At this age I have walked for four hours at padyatras. I have also set up my website to stay in touch with the young generation. We hope it will have a better effect in the Lok Sabha elections.

Q: What is your hunch about next Govt formation?

Sudip Bandyopadhyay: There will be no UPA 3. Congress is definitely not coming back. Mr Modi will also not become the Prime Minister, that is a foregone conclusion. The situation will be clear after the Lok Sabha elections. But, like my leader Mamata Banerjee said, Congress will not win more than 60-70 seats and the BJP will win only 150-160 seats. Let us see. One thing is certain, Trinamool Congress will emerge as the decider of the next Government. Trinamool is contesting the elections in seats outside Bengal too. Our future is bright.

Q: What would your message to the party workers?

Sudip Bandyopadhyay: Keep your head cool and your feet hot. Act as the bridge between the people and the organisation. Carry the message of the party leader to the people. Inform people about the development initiatives taken by the West Bengal Government. I am sure all party candidates will be benefited by the performance of the Chief Minister of West Bengal Ms. Mamata Banerjee.

The present Government is duty bound for over-all development of North-Bengal. From setting up of a separate department for the development of the region to the construction of a branch secretariat in North Bengal, the Chief Minister has time and again proven that she is committed towards the well being of the people of the State. The Chief Minister visited the region 18 times since 2011 to take stock of the progress of developmental projects.

From tackling the law and order situation in the Hills to the completion of pending projects for the region, North Bengal development has been a top priority of the All India Trinamool Congress led West Bengal Government. 

Here are some of the major achievements in this sector in the last 1000 days:

(i) A full-fledged Department for North Bengal Development was set up by WB CM Ms. Mamata Banerjee immediately after coming to power.

(ii) Uttar Kanya – the mini secretariat in North Bengal was inaugurated within one and half years of announcement by the CM. On February 11, 2014 the State Cabinet held its first meeting in Uttar Kanya.

(iii) For the development of whole Dooars area, the “Dooars Task Force” has been formed under North Bengal Development Department.

(iv) Seven new Government colleges have been approved for the region. A branch of the North Bengal University is being set up in Jalpaiguri. Coochbehar got a new university named after Panchanan Barma.

(v) Construction work of the Circuit Bench of Kolkata High Court at Jalpaiguri is in final phase.

(vi) The Chief Minister had laid special stress on tourism in North Bengal. Lamahata Home Tourism is now functional, the newest attraction. The Gazaldoba Tourist Hub was inaugurated by the Chief Minister in October 2013.

(vii) WBSIDC is setting up a mega tourism hub at Banarhat, Jalpaiguri.  The hub will boast a convention centre, five and three star resorts, day centre for picnics, amusement park, budget resort, crafts village, hospitality management training institute and youth hostel among others.

(viii) All the district hospitals are being equipped with modern equipments. With increased number of beds, facilities like SNSU and SNCU, MRI facilities, fair price medicine and diagnostic centres, the hospitals are being raised to the status of multi-super specialty hospitals.

(ix) A film-city and film school are being set up at Dabgram-Fulbari.

(x) A Mahananda action plan has been adopted to clean up the river and reduce the water pollution in the region.

And the list goes on…

Click here to read all the achievements of the West Bengal Government.

Dola Sen, the State President of Trinamool labour wing INTTUC, has been fielded as a candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Asansol. Primarily an industrial area, Ms. Sen has been using her experience as the INTTUC President to reach out to the people. With the guidance of Ms. Mamata Banerjee, and the blessings of the common people, Ms. Sen is confident of winning from Asansol with a handsome margin. Trinamool web team spent a day with Dola Sen during her campaign.

March 21, 2014. 6:30 AM

The Trinamool Congress candidate for the Asansol Constituency, Ms. Dola Sen and two of her aides leave for Ansansol from Kolkata. Ms. Sen had extensively campaigned extensively in her constituency for the last couple of weeks and was in the State capital for official purpose.

Three meetings already scheduled for the day are at Baraboni Assembly Constituency – Jamgram, Salanpur and Chittaranjan. Another hectic day ahead, but Ms. Sen is not bogged down because she has been holding at least three workers` meeting every day in her constituency since the announcement of the list of candidates of the party.

Gate at Jamgram, Baraboni

Dola di with Malay Ghatak in the workers` meeting at Jamgram, Baraboni

The message to the workers was load and clear – the margin of victory needs to be increased in Asansol. There are around 5000 villages, around 150 Municipal Wards, around 100 coallieries and 2300 booths in the Asansol constituency. Extensive door-to-door canvassing needs to done by the workers. Dola di pointed out that the Trinamool Government has been working for the development of common people.

3:00 PM – Salanpur Gram Panchayat, Baraboni Assembly segment

Dola Di speaking at the workers` meeting at Salanpur, Baraboni

The turnout is more than anticipated. The auditorium, which is built to house 1000 people has another thousand waiting outside to get in. Dola di and other leaders are welcomed to the beats of madol being played. Fifty per cent of the attendees are women, which goes on to show the support of women for the party. 

Dola di bonds effortlessly with the workers present. She drives home the point that as an individual she is insignificant; the electorate will vote for Ms. Mamata Banerjee, irrespective of who the other candidates are.

Dola Di speaking at the workers` meeting at Salanpur, Baraboni

5:30 PM – Chittaranjan Rail Colony, Baraboni Assembly segment

A little girl performs baran on Dola di before a meeting

Contrary to expectations the turnout at the meeting was in hundreds; a lot more than what one would expect at a railway colony for a workers` meeting. Dola di was overwhelmed. She highlighted Mamata Banerjee`s achievements as the Railway Minister before the audience. In her speech, Dola di said this time the vote would either be cast in favour of Mamata Banerjee or against her. Pro-people votes would be in favour of Didi while anti-people votes would go to other parties.

Dola di at Chittaranjan workers` meeting

8:30 PM – Rahamatnagar, Asansol City

After a brief inspection of the election office at SG Garai Road, Dola di makes a move towards Rahamatnagar where the meeting with the minority community is scheduled. Local leaders and MLAs were present at the meeting. The front rows are filled with `buzurgs`, the older generation of the Muslim community. Majority of the crowd consists of Muslim women. 

Dola di at the workers` meeting at Rahamatnagar, Asansol

In her speech, Dola di highlights the initiatives by West Bengal Government for the minority community and how zealously the Trinamool Congress led Ma, Mati, Manush Government has implemented the Sachar Committee recommendations. She ends on a personal note by saying that Mamata Banerjee has never identified Muslims as belonging to a different religion but viewed them as human beings.

11:00 PM – Durgapur City

It is time for another strategy meeting, the final one at the end of a very hectic schedule. Another interview to a leading Bengali newspaper and Dola di calls it a day. A quick look at the emails and messages she has received throughout the day, and off she is to rest, and of course prepare for a fresh round of campaigning the next day.

Dola di pays floral tribute to Manik Upadhyay

West Bengal Chief Minister chaired a meeting with senior officials and ministers at the state secretariat Nabanna. She instructed all the departmental heads to carry out the developmental activities in the State. She also stressed that no ongoing project is to stalled or slowed down because of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. She instructed that all work must be done following the guidelines of the Election Commission.

The Chief Minister took stock of the work done by various departments and cautioned those who have not been maintaining the pace of work. She told the officials that they should take the responsibility of monitoring the ongoing developmental projects across West Bengal. She also asked officials to inform officials in Delhi immediately if funds were not released on time.

The message from the meeting was clear. The Chief Minister, who is committed to maintaining the work culture in the State, is not ready to accept the excuse of polls for slackening pace of work. She is committed to providing all services to people, without any excuses or delays.

West Bengal Finance Minister Dr Amit Mitra Monday pointed to `facts and figures` to establish how the Centre has deprived Bengal of Rs 86,000 crore over the past three years. He was addressing a press conference in Nabanna.

“The Centre has deprived Bengal in the past three years. According to an estimate prepared today, I found that the Chief Minister is right. The Centre has deprived Bengal of over Rs 86,000 crore since 2011-12,” the finance minister said. “I have had a discussion with the Chief Minister before revealing the facts and figures,” he said.

“We could have taken up development projects for the minorities, farmers and students in backward areas… But the Centre deprived us with a political motive,” the finance minister added.

What the finance minister tried to establish is that the State could not undertake some projects as the Centre deprived it of funds. Bengal did not get the full allotment on various projects over the past three years.

The Chief Minister had laid stress on completing projects on time. In a meeting held at Nabanna with departmental secretaries, she told the officials that they should take responsibility of monitoring the projects. She also asked officials to get in touch with Delhi if funds were not released on time.